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Theft shame of ‘betrayal’ gran
Guilty: Johnson at court
A grandmother who stole £3,650 from a pensioner she was caring for has escaped a jail sentence.
Carol Johnson, 51, had offered to help 80-year-old James Wolstenholme at his home at the Venture Caravan Park in Morecambe.
But she used his credit card to withdraw the money from his bank account.
Johnson, who admitted one count of theft, was given a 22-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, at Lancaster Crown Court yesterday.
She was also ordered to carry out a 12 month community and supervision order.
Kate Henthorn, prosecuting, told the court how Johnson, of Buxton Street, Morecambe, had known Mr Wolstenholme, who has since died, for almost 30 years.
Over the years they had offered each other mutual support, including through Mr Wolstenholme’s three divorces and the suicide of his first wife.
In January 2006 Johnson was asked by Mr Wolstenholme’s relatives if she could assist him in his house. At the time she was a manager for Manchester Care.
During her work with him, Johnson told the pensioner about financial difficulties she was having, and he offered to help her out.
But then, Miss Henthorn said, Johnson took advantage of him and stole the cash.
“She was a carer and this was a breach of trust,” Miss Henthorn said.
Sophie Cartwright, defending, said her client had previously been of “impeccable” character but had become crippled by debts.
She had worked as a carer since 1993 and was highly regarded.
During the period the offence took place - between July 2006 and May 2007 - Johnson was providing a “high degree of care” for Mr Wolstenholme, Miss Cartwright said.
“However, she was in a poor financial situation. She accepts taking the money but it wasn’t used to buy luxury items but was taken misguidedly when she was under financial pressure.
“She is bitterly remorseful and ashamed of her behaviour.”
Johnson had attempted to repay the stolen money by taking out a loan.
As a result of the court case, she lost her job with Manchester Care and now claims incapacity benefit. She was diagnosed with clinical depression.
Miss Cartwright said Johnson was “terrified” at the prospect of jail. She helped care for her three young grandchildren.
Sentencing Johnson, Judge Tony Lancaster said: “It’s hard to imagine a greater act of betrayal than your theft from Mr Wolstenholme.”
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Wednesday 08 February 2012
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Comments
There are 2 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
kezzer
Friday, September 10, 2010 at 12:02 AMWell said D...shes hatefull...lots more like her out there !! Then theres the fraudulent men,who can work,yet choose us,to pay their way...no different for me...!! FRAUDSTERS!!
Diesel10
Thursday, September 9, 2010 at 10:20 PM"As a result of the court case, she lost her job with Manchester Care and now claims incapacity benefit. She was diagnosed with clinical depression." What a total loser - these are the sort of people who should be stripped of their benefits. Robbed an elderly man and when she's caught gets 'clinical depression' and so claims extra benefit. Shame on the poor excuse for a woman, its people like her who are stealing from those who genuinely cannot work.
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