Carer stole £26,000 from woman, 96

A CARER who abused her position to steal more than £26,000 from a 96-year-old was only caught when her victim died.

Sarah Last (34), of Providence House, Huddersfield Road, Oldham, pleaded guilty to false representation and abuse of position at Tameside Magistrates' Court yesterday after she stole £26,000 from the elderly woman she cared for.

From March to September, 2016, Last cared for her victim, who lived in sheltered accommodation and rarely left her home, by helping her with day-to-day chores and to wash herself.

Over the course of six months, Last wrote out nine separate cheques from the woman to herself ranging from £2,000 to £3,500 and only stopped stealing when the woman was moved to live with her son.

It was only after the woman died that it became apparent Last had stolen from her.

Last, who cut a solemn figure in the dock, wore a black hooded jacket, black T-shirt and black pants. She spoke only to confirm her name, address and to plead guilty. She will appear at Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court on March 9 for sentencing.

Ms Rigby, prosecuting, said: "The defendant was employed to into the woman's home and look after her, helping her wash herself and with day to day chores as she very rarely left the house.

"Over a period of six months she has written out several cheques to herself. She wrote out nine separate cheques ranging from £2,000 to £3,500.

"These incidents were only discovered following the death of the defendant. She was moved out of her home and lived with her son where she died.

"She has abused her position of trust."

The prosecution also said Last stopped stealing from the woman because she wasn't able to do it anymore when she moved in with her son and hadn't done it voluntarily.

Financial officers are looking at ways to recoup the money for the family.