Wolf in sheep's clothing retirement home manager who stole over £20k from Clitheroe pensioner jailed
A ‘wolf in sheep’s clothing’ who stole more than £20,000 from an elderly and vulnerable woman has been jailed.
Retirement home manager Stephanie White conned her 88-year-old victim into thinking she was helping her pay her bills but was instead writing the cheques to herself.
White, 58, of Lilac Grove, Clitheroe stole £21,697.79 between April 2022 – October 2023. The offences came to light came to light after the victim became unwell and ended up in hospital.
Her family found bank statements and handwritten notes relating to White’s sideline beauty business, where she had channelled some of the cash, in the victim’s flat.
After her arrest and throughout her police interviews White denied that she had taken the money illegally. She said it was a gift or loan or a repayment for shopping which she had done for the victim.
Eventually White pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of position before a trial.In a statement the family said their relative felt violated, manipulated and deeply betrayed by someone entrusted with her care.
She had stolen money which represented years of hard work by the victim and her late husband, intended to provide security and comfort in her retirement, they said.
They added: “As a result of these events, my grandmother now lives with lasting anxiety and fear.
“This ordeal has also deeply affected our family. We entrusted her wellbeing to someone we believed to be capable and compassionate. Instead, she was exploited and left confused and afraid.
“No elderly person should ever have to endure such treatment.”
Det Con Vicky Holt, of the Vulnerable Adults (VA) team, added: “Stephanie White was someone in a position of trust and care but instead of looking after her victim she has taken advantage of a vulnerable and elderly woman and deceived her out of many thousands of pounds of hard-earned money for her own selfish financial gain.”
White was jailed for two years and ten months.