CCTV captured carer stealing from dementia sufferer
A former carer has admitted stealing from an elderly vascular dementia sufferer she was supposed to be looking after.
Caroline Bastable of Wheatacre Road, Sheffield was caught stealing items including cash, jewellery and perfume on CCTV which had been installed by the 80-year-old victim’s son after he became suspicious. Worryingly, she was also seen failing to give the elderly woman her medication.
In November 2017, items such as food and milk began to disappear from the victim’s home. A family friend then noticed cash, which had been hidden around the house, was missing. A large quantity of cigarettes, hidden at the back of a cupboard, had also been taken.
This led to the victim’s son installing the CCTV around his mother’s property, in Barnsley.
Throughout December that year, footage from the cameras evidenced Bastable stealing from the then 80-year-old on more than one occasion. She helped herself to food from the kitchen cupboards and was often seen rifling through drawers, jewellery boxes and the victim’s purses hunting for cash and other valuables.
On one occasion, she stole a gold bangle as the pensioner slept in the same room. Later that same evening, she helped herself to toiletries and perfume from gift sets. Some of these items were recovered by police during a search of Bastable’s home following her arrest on 17 December 2017.
Worryingly, the 42-year-old was regularly seen to not give the house-bound victim her medication. When later questioned by police, she stated she “must have forgotten”.
Detective Constable Sam Carr, of Rotherham CID, who led the investigation said: “This has been a lengthy inquiry and I would like to thank the victim’s family for their support and assistance over the past two years.
“The victim’s son and daughter-in-law relied upon and trusted Bastable to take care of their mum at her most vulnerable. To abuse this trust, and her position, is disgusting and I am pleased that Bastable is now facing a substantial prison term.”
Bastable pleaded guilty to three counts of wilful neglect and two counts of theft at Doncaster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (19 November). She will appear at Sheffield Crown Court on 9 January for sentencing.
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