‘Heinous’ senior care worker stole £18k from vulnerable for Thailand holiday
A SENIOR care worker stole more than £18,000 from adults with severe learning difficulties to fund a three-week holiday in Thailand.
Natalie Winter siphoned off the cash while helping to manage the finances of her vulnerable clients
Natalie Winter, 31, siphoned off the cash over 18 months while helping to manage the finances of four vulnerable adults.
One of the victims had severe autism, another had Down’s syndrome. Police said the crime was a “heinous” offence against vulnerable people.
Winter, of Farlington, Portsmouth, was given a two-year jail sentence, suspended for two years, at the city’s crown court last week.
She was also told to do 240 hours of unpaid work.
She was given a two-year jail sentence, suspended for two years, at Portsmouth's crown court
Prosecutor Daniel Sawyer said all Winter’s victims were described as being “very distressed, traumatised and emotional”.
This was a heinous crime against vulnerable members of society
He added: “This has clearly had an effect on them”.
The four victims, aged 45 to 67, were in assisted living accommodation in Portsmouth and Fareham, near Portsmouth.
Their bank cards were stored in a safe and carers were able to sign them out in a book to withdraw cash on their behalf.
The four victims, aged 45 to 67, were in assisted living accommodation in Portsmouth and Fareham
As a senior carer, Winter did not have to gain approval.
The care charity’s procedures have now been changed and the victims have been reimbursed for their losses.
Winter admitted four counts of fraud, relating to taking £12,425, £3,850, £330 and £1,950 from the victims.
She also admitted a separate count of fraud after taking £876.71 from the charity.
Winter used the money to fund a three-week holiday in Thailand
The court was told she went on a three-week trip to Thailand using the money.
Simon Moger, defending, said that she had given money to her partner, who was addicted to gambling and drugs.
Detective Constable Debbie Baron said after the case: “This was a heinous crime against vulnerable members of society.”
She added: “Winter did not show any remorse, all the way through the case.”