Her broke and broken... that let her walk free
team and some discussions between them and the Crown Prosecution Service barrister, she pleaded guilty to stealing just £20,000. The judge asked if my mum’s family had been informed of this reduced charge. The CPS barrister wasn’t sure. I am. We weren’t.
Davis was handed a two-year sentence (reduced by 25 per cent to 18 months for pleading guilty) suspended because she was “previously of good character”. Davis also had no previous convictions and she has a daughter of 16, who would suffer if her mother went to prison.
What about the victim’s children? Me and my brother are rather upset. Not least because my mum’s grandchildren could have paid their University fees with the money Claire Davis spent on bikes, kebabs and trainers for her family. And by the way, our mother can’t currently return to her own lovely home. She should be able to afford round-the-clock care but hasn’t got the funds. Instead she is in a council care home. To visit her you have to walk down a long corridor to a 10ft by 10ft room with a bed and one window. Her quality of life has been destroyed. Her quantity of life has possibly been shortened. Her mental and physical health trampled.
SHE HAS deteriorated beyond belief in the past couple of years. Her trust and confidence in others has been shattered. The judgment has left our family angry and me feeling anarchistic. A suspended sentence for a vile trusted carer who sentenced an old lady to this is not justice.
When the judge said she was going home, her and her posse were laughing and joking. “They think they’ve won don’t they Our Elizabeth?” was my brother’s verdict. Yes I’m sure it was party night on their estate last Monday.
Age UK, reports this type of crime is endemic. Need proof? Just google “Carer stole £20,000”, you’ll get pages of cases. It’s an easy crime with soft targets. You don’t have to force entry or use violence to find a victim. You’ll be invited in. Most victims won’t even know until it’s too late. Even when they do there’s no CCTV to nab you.
It’s a business plan. Find an old dear, become their carer and rob them blind. There is no real penalty. There is no deterrent. Claire Davis has left my mum broke and broken.
So is our criminal justice system.