Cruel carer
84- year- old ‘ s widow speaks of her heartache
A crooked carer who stole from her 84- year- old brain- damaged client was branded “the lowest of the low” by a sheriff in court.
Emma Stokeld, 26, preyed on George Buchanan, who was in her care at the time, and took money from his wallet on September 13, 2018.
Sheriff John Montgomery said: “She’s shown absolutely no remorse whatsoever.”
A callous carer who stole from her 84- yearold brain- damaged client was branded “the lowest of the low” by a sheriff in court.
Emma Stokeld, 26, preyed on George Buchanan, who was in her care at the time, and took money from his wallet on September 13, 2018.
During a summary trial, Stokeld, of Dunlop Crescent, Ayr, was found guilty of the theft .
She was caught out with marked money in a sting operation put in place by her then employers after Mr Buchanan’s wife Yvonne had suspicions over missing money.
Mr Buchanan died on October 15- just four weeks after Stokeld was caught and charged.
The cruel carer was officially charged with pinching £ 20, but sheriff John Montgomery said “it wasn’t just £ 20” after hearing evidence from widow Yvonne that Stokeld’s actions “went on for months.”
Yvonne, 56, of Prestwick, previously told the Post: “The whole thing was just awful for our family.
“My husband suffered a fall that resulted in brain damage and he couldn’t manage everyday life so we had to have carers in.
“Emma Stokeld targeted my husband and used our home as a cashpoint.”
Stokeld appeared at Ayr Sheriff Court last Thursday for sentencing.
Defence solicitor Quinton Muir said: “Without belittling the offence, my understanding was it was the £ 20 had been taken.
“But perhaps there was something else in the background which caused the family to take it further.
“She does realise this is a very serious matter.”
Sheriff Montgomery replied: “S h e ’ s s h o w n absolutely no remorse whatsoever.”
Mr Muir added: “She clearly recognises the seriousness and gravity of it.
“She’s not really shown a level of empathy visible with regards to the offence but I don’t think I can really do more about the empathy.”
Sentencing Stokeld, sheriff Montgomery said: “I note from the social work report, as I have already commented, that you continue to deny you stole a quantity of money from a very vulnerable individualand in respect of him, who you were in a position of trust.
“You were convicted of the theft after trial.
“In my opinion, that renders you the lowest of the low.”
Because she had no previous convictions, sheriff Montgomery sentenced Stokeld to 200 hours’ unpaid work
He added: “I appreciate during the trial you had caused great suffering to your victim’s widow.
“I expect you, within a three month period, to do the right thing and compensate her.
“Because it wasn’t just £ 20 - that was what you were convicted of because you were trapped.
“I don’t want you to contact Ms Buchanan directly but through your lawyer.
“And I’ll be very interested to learn just how much you’ve paid Ms Buchanan when you come back.”
Upon hearing the outcome, Yvonne said: “Emma Stokeld stole money, from my husband’s wallet, on numerous occasions from May 2018 until September 13, 2018.
“Throughout this whole ordeal she has shown no remorse whatsoever.
“She initially made a plea of guilty, then a month later she changed her plea to not guilty.
“Subsequently, I had to endure the stress and anguish of being in court giving evidence in a trial.
“All because Emma Stokeld thought she could talk her way out of things.
“When a person is grieving the loss of their husband the last thing they need to experience is the heartless excuses and lies of a thief.
“Emma Stokeld came into my home and stole more than money.
“She stole my husband’s dignity and trust.
“She stole my ability to properly grieve as I had to be preoccupied with having conversations with procurator fiscals, court appearances and giving evidence in a trial.
“I had to constantly recount and re- live this harrowing time again and again.
“She narrowly escaped a custodial sentence. “