A Stretford mother-of-three who stole thousands of pounds from two vulnerable women to fund her booze addiction walked free from court yesterday.
Denise Hill, 53, stole £7,700 during her time as a carer for a woman with learning difficulties living with her 91-year-old mother.
She had previously worked as a cleaner for the pair and gained their trust by helping them with several household chores – included managing their money.
Hill would withdraw money for them during shopping trips – but not without sneaking some cash for herself.
The cleaner, who originally offered to work for free, was being paid £40-a-week for her services and when this was not considered enough – she took her wage payments into her own hands.
Hill no longer works at the women’s house in Stretford after she was eventually exposed when her victims learned from bank statements that multiple withdrawals were being made on shopping days.
Greater Manchester Police Detective Constable Andy Devonshire said: “There can simply be no justification, no defence and no excuse to steal from someone who places their upmost trust in you.
“She was given a position of responsibility by a vulnerable woman and her frail mum and to say she violated that trust would be an understatement.”
Hill pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation at a previous hearing, and received a suspended sentence of 16 months at Manchester Crown Court yesterday.
The shameless fraudster was also placed on an alcohol treatment programme – after it was heard much of the stolen money went on booze.
One of the victims, aged 91, said: “I regret ever letting her into the house. I had saved this money for my and my daughter’s later life care.”
Ronan Maguire, defending, put Hill’s stealing down to alcohol addiction as well as being unable to provide for her family on her wage as a carer.
He said: “It was at this stage she should have said ‘I’m sorry, I can’t provide the level of assistance giving what I am being paid – but instead she embarked on this period of stealing.”
Judge Robert Brown told her: “You took advantage of the trust these women placed on you to care for them.”
Image courtesy of Howard Lake with thanks
