A CARER stole more than £1,700 from her elderly patients, it has been alleged.Rebecca Snape, who was employed by Premier Gold Care, is accused of stealing cash and jewellery from five patients while she was visiting them in their homes, Ipswich Crown Court was told yesterday.
A CARER stole more than £1,700 from her elderly patients, it has been alleged.
Rebecca Snape, who was employed by Premier Gold Care, is accused of stealing cash and jewellery from five patients while she was visiting them in their homes, Ipswich Crown Court was told yesterday.
Snape, 32, of Hazel Rise, Claydon, near Ipswich, has denied seven offences of theft.
Andrew Shaw, prosecuting, claimed that Snape had stolen £80 from 95-year-old Edward Southgate of Sproughton Road, Ipswich.
The court heard that his daughter, Marion Finbow, had put £80 in his purse in his dressing table on May 25, 2005 and found it was missing when she checked two days later.
On June 17, 2005, Snape allegedly stole £200 from a purse belonging to Doris Fulbrook who has since died.
In July 2005, Snape had allegedly stolen jewellery and sums of £20 and £45 from another patient called Elizabeth Giles.
On July 15, 2005, £600 was allegedly stolen from a purse belonging to William King which had been left on his dressing table. The court heard that he has since died.
A further £800 was allegedly stolen from Jessie Alden.
Mr Shaw said that Mr King had been the first person to complain about money being taken from his home and Premier Gold Care had written a letter to its clients informing them that Snape's employment had ended and that she should no longer be admitted into their homes.
Other employees who had also left Premier's employment for a number of reasons were also mentioned in the letter.
“That letter triggered a number of other complaints from elderly people who said money had gone missing,” said Mr Shaw.
“Prior to this defendant's employment, Premier had received no complaints about theft and after her employment ended at the end of July 2005 no further complaints have been received.”
After her arrest Snape allegedly accused the alleged victims of the thefts of “jumping on the bandwagon” after the initial complaint had been made by Mr King.
The trial continues today.
jane.hunt@eadt.co.uk
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