Care worker given suspended jail sentence for stealing from pensioner

A CARE worker from Hyde has been given a suspended prison sentence after being convicted of stealing £1,000 from a pensioner in Stalybridge.

Anastasia Barlow, 39, of Well Meadow, was also placed under a night-time curfew for two weeks by Manchester City Magistrates and order to spend 15 days taking part in a rehabilitation action requirement for 15 days.

Dr Lorraine Lighton, chair of the bench, said: “You took advantage of a very vulnerable victim and it took place over a couple of months.

“It was abuse of your position of this extremely vulnerable person who depended on you for care.”

Dr Lighton added the magistrates took into account the “significant impact” the case has had on the victim’s family.

Barlow, who appeared for sentencing having earlier pleaded guilty to ‘fraud by abuse of position’, looked after Katherine Baker, 67, who lived in supported accommodation at Albion House.

Harriet Lavin, prosecuting, told the court that Mrs Baker had mental and physical disabilities and was supported by Abel Care.

“Mrs Baker relied on four or five carers, one of which was the defendant, and the logbook showed they attended throughout the day every few hours,” she said.

Miss Lavin explained the crime was uncovered when Mrs Baker asked her brother Michael Cooper to pay bills and he noticed “transactions for large amounts from her account”.

Mr Cooper, she continued, cancelled the card and after investigating found that £1,000 had been taken between June 1 and August 17, 2019.

Miss Lavin added CCTV footage was acquired from Tesco showing Baker withdrawing money.

She said: “The victim Katherine Baker allowed Barlow to take the card once as a one-off to withdraw £100 for her. She did not have permission to withdraw further money.

“In a victim’s statement, Mrs Baker said it has left her frightened and vulnerable and as already an anxiety sufferer this has made it worse and it has ‘made me feel stupid’.”

Miss Lavin told the court Barlow admitted taking the card without permission and withdrawing £500 of which she kept £200 for herself.

She added: “It was over a sustained period of time and more than one transaction.

“Barlow deliberately targeted the victim because of her vulnerability. She was highly vulnerable and relied on the defendant for support and help, and it was exploited.”

Miss Lavin added Barlow explained she had been suffering from anxiety and depression and struggling financially.

“Her partner was unable to work due to an injury and she was working every day of the week and earning £1,000 a month which was not enough money to pay the bills,” she said.

Ellie Akhgar, defending, said Barlow felt “acute shame” and to her credit she immediately admitted the offence.

She said: “You often hear defendants making no comment at interviews and pleading not guilty.

“What I can say is she has a conscience. She is sorry and she is wrong, and the sorry began as early as the first interview at the police station.

“It is not just here she admitted her wrongdoing. She said today she is full of regrets and had betrayed the victim’s trust and wished she could turn the clock back She is genuinely remorseful.”

Miss Akhgar explained Barlow had a “long history of very serious and acute mental health concerns” and she had been diagnosed with serious post-traumatic stress.

She added the crime was committed because of Barlow’s “serious financial difficulties”.

“She couldn’t afford to live and because of that committed the offence out of desperation,” explained Miss Akhgar.

Miss Akhgar admitted Barlow must be punished but argued against a custodial sentence pressing for a community order because of Barlow’s health issues and she was also caring for her mother who is terminally ill with cancer.

• In an earlier Newton Hearing at Tameside Magistrates Court to determine the amount stolen, the prosecution alleged £5,700 was taken from Mrs Baker’s account between June 1 and August 17, 2019.

However, magistrates were unable to say ‘without reasonable doubt’ Barlow had taken more than the £1,000 she admitted as other carers had access to Mrs Baker’s bank card.

At the earlier hearing, Mr Cooper said: “I looked at my sister’s bank account with the Royal Bank of Scotland and realised money had been taken out which looked unauthorised because they were such large amounts that were unnecessary.

“The sums were £500 and £400 which were going out which she didn’t need. She only had money for general shopping.”

The earlier hearing heard Barlow was asked to withdraw money by Mrs Baker who handed over her VISA debit card and PIN number.

The case was part heard on February 17 when Barlow was taken ill giving evidence, resulting in an adjournment.

It resumed on Monday, March 23 when Barlow, in her defence, told the court she was not the only person with access to Mrs Baker’s bank card.

Barlow told the court earlier she was in debt, owing £1,200 in rent.

“I am certain I didn’t take more than £1,000 but it could be less or it could be more. I cannot remember,” she said.

The court heard then that no further money went missing after Barlow’s arrest.