The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
‘Abuse of trust was despicable’
A Peterborough support worker who stole nearly £12,500 from a vulnerable man he was caring for in a ‘despicable’ breach of trust has been jailed.
Simon Rouse pocketed the cash over a two year period, spending it at John Lewis, to pay off debts, and to fund his alcohol habit, rather than supporting the young man he was meant to be caring for.
Hemadedozensoftransactions using the victim’s bank card, over the two years – and was only stopped when a colleague checked the victim’s accounts.
Rouse (50) of Frederick Drive, Peterborough, admitted fraud, and was jailed for 20 months at Peterborough Crown Court on Wednesday.
StephenMathew,prosecuting, told the court that the victim himself, who has a number ofconditions,hasnotbeentold of the Rouse’s actions.
Mr Mather said: “On Wednesday, July 21 2021 a female colleague of Rouse, who was also a support worker for the victim, looked at the bank statement of the victim, and the figures did not seem to add up.
"Itwasclearthatmoneywas being withdrawn from the account, and it happened when Rouse was on duty."
The court was told sometimes Rouse would withdraw an amount, but only record partoftheamountwithdrawn.
On other occasions, he simply would not record any amount he had withdrawn.
In total, the court was told he made more than 100 transactions, taking a total of £12,482.61.
Mr Mather read a statement from the victim’s mum, who said: “As a family we are appalled by the callous abuse of trust.”
The mum also spoke of stress and anxiety the offending had caused her and other members of the family.
Mauro Maselli, defending, urged Judge Matthew Lowe to impose a suspended sentence, saying that Rouse had no previous convictions, and he had made full admissions when he was interviewed by police.
HesaidthatRousewasnow working for Amazon, and was working to clear his debt.
Mr Masellis said: “He has shown genuine remorse. He fullyacceptshisoffending,and thatitinvolvedabreachoftrust of a highly vulnerable man.
"He doesn’t seek to minimise what he has done, and the pain he caused to the victim and his family.”
But Judge Lowe said the offendingwarrantedanimmediate prison sentence.
He said: “You worked as a carer for the victim, who had a rangeofsignificantdifficulties.
"Your role as one of his carers carried with it an enormous degree of responsibility and trust.
"Trustplacedinyounotonly by by the victim, but by his family.”
Judge Lowe added: “You have taken advantage of his vulnerabilities and the trust placed in you by the victim and his family.
"The abuse of trust was frankly despicable.”
Judge Lowe said that the offence was aggravated by the fact that he had not just made one transaction, but a number of them over a significant period of time.
Rouse pleaded guilty to one count of fraud at a previous hearing.