A carer from Warminster has been sentenced after pleading guilty to seven counts of fraud against a resident she was responsible for caring for.
Twenty-one year old Gemma Ballard from High Street, Warminster, was dismissed from her role as a care worker at Longbridge Deverill House, Warminster, after police were contacted in January with reports of erroneous financial transactions being discovered within the bank account of a female resident in her 80's.
Miss Ballard was subsequently arrested and later charged with seven counts of fraud, having used her position to obtain the victim?s financial details and then using them to purchase goods via the Internet.
On Monday 23rd April 2012 Miss Ballard appeared at North West Wiltshire Magistrates Court (Chippenham) where she received a 12 month Community Order with supervision, together with a requirement to pay compensation totalling £372.60.
Detective Sergeant Martin McDonagh from the Safeguarding Adults Investigation Team (SAIT) said:
''The victim in this case was elderly and suffered from dementia, and as such depended entirely upon those individuals entrusted to provide her with care.
''Miss Ballard abused this trust, with the repercussions of these actions not only being felt by the victim, but also by her family who have an implicit expectation that their loved ones are afforded appropriate standards of care and dignity at all times. Indeed in this investigation a Victim Impact Statement was obtained from the victim?s family to reinforce the impact this crime has had upon them.
''I would like to extend my gratitude to those involved in this investigation for their co-operation, including Longbridge Deverill House who took prompt action in order to address the situation. I would also like to thank Safeguarding Adult Investigator Andy Guy for his professionalism in investigating this matter.
''This form of offending has no place in society and is entirely unacceptable. Wiltshire Police are committed to ensuring that allegations received are subject to rigorous investigation and, where necessary, appropriate action progressed against those responsible.''
Anyone who believes themselves or a loved one has been a victim of this type of crime can contact Wiltshire Police on 101. Information will be treated with confidence. Alternatively people can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be left anonymously if they wish.
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7qbHAq6tnm59jwqx71qKjrauYnr%2Bme82erqxnnKSworiOsJirpZmjwLWx0WauqKWVo3q0sc2tnKeblZl6p77Arpto