Carer took thousands from OAPs

A carer who was fraudulently taking money from two vulnerable elderly clients even drew from the account of one them on the day they died.

Dain Parsons, 63, was jailed for two years and four months at Nottingham Crown Court.

Another six months was added to the sentence after she told the court she was too ill to attend a hearing when she was, in fact, on holiday in Egypt.

The investigating officer, Detective Constable Jason Jenkins, said in excess of £8,000 was missing.

"She is a callous woman. She treated one woman’s bank account as her own," he said.

"She withdrew £150 from the account of one victim on the day she died.

"She targeted decent people who were among society’s most vulnerable."

Parsons, of Braemer Road, Colling-ham, a former NHS mental health nurse and Sue Ryder charity community carer, set up Complex Care Newark, specialising in dementia clients.

She started taking from the accounts of clients when the company hit financial difficulties but went on to spend the money on a more lavish lifestyle, including foreign holidays, said Dc Jenkins.

He said Parsons, who mainly conducted her business in the Collingham area, was very well-respected.

One victim was an 85-year-old woman who Parsons was employed to care for after she became ill.

The fraud came to light when the woman’s son noticed daily withdrawals of £200 or £250 from the accounts and called in the police.

Fraud Squad officers found in excess of £8,000 was missing.

"When that came to light and she was arrested, we began to research around other potential victims," said Dc Jenkins, leading them to the second woman, who had died.

Parsons admitted two counts of dishonestly making false representation to make a gain for self, two counts of fraud by abuse of position, and making a false instrument, in that she signed the bank card of one victim.

Parsons, who was on a recommended carers database, was trusted with the bank cards of both victims.

In the case of the client who later died, Parsons took cash from the 99-year-old’s current account, despite knowing her death was imminent, having previously transferred the money from her victim’s savings account, said Dc Jenkins.

She withdrew £150 on the day the lady died and many more withdrawals were made after the death.

Six months later Parsons tried to cash a cheque for £6,600, but it was refused because the account was by then £1,000 overdrawn.

"She started to take money to help her out of her own financial situation, but she was greedy," said Dc Jenkins.

"We believe there may be other victims. If there were, and they have died, we may never know."

He said he was happy with the jail sentence.

"This was a case of the targeting of the most vulnerable and the judge sentenced accordingly," he said.

Asked how people could protect themselves from rogue carers, Dc Jenkins said: "First and foremost, never give bank cards to anyone, but if that becomes necessary, always check bank statements on a regular basis."

Proceeds of Crime Act proceedings have started against Parsons with the first hearing listed at Nottingham Crown Court on August 31, with Parsons required to attend.