A CARER who was looking after a 101-year-old man in his home was caught red-handed on camera stealing from him by his 75-year-old son.

Laura Dignum, 30, from Bluebell Close in Winnington, was employed by Care Connect and as part of her job she visited 101-year-old Frank Mullins and his 96-year-old wife Mary in their Knutsford home.

Care Connect is contracted by Cheshire East Council to carry out social care visits and social carers, including Dignum, visited Mr and Mrs Mullins three times a day.

When Frank told his son, Peter, that he had concerns about the safekeeping of small amounts of money kept in his home, Peter decided to set up a hidden camera.

On January 15, two days after setting up the camera, Frank complained that £10 had gone missing from his wallet, kept in a bedside drawer.

Peter checked the recording and saw video evidence of Laura going into the bedside draw, and opening the wallet.

Peter said: “You can see her bending down, opening the drawer, and you can see her looking around and looking through the windows to see if anybody is coming. Then you can hear the zip on the wallet, she puts the £10 in her pocket, puts the wallet back and walks away.

“I’m just glad the camera worked and we had the evidence we needed.”

The Winnington woman pleaded guilty of theft at Stockport Magistrates Court on Thursday, May 4 – days after the death of Mary.

PC Joseph Tapley, of Knutsford Police Station, said: “Dignum used the access she had as a carer to steal from an elderly and vulnerable gentleman.  

"It is sad and disappointing to know someone with a position of trust could so cruelly take advantage but I hope knowing Dignum has been punished for her crimes will start to bring some comfort to him.”

The court ordered her to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work. She was also ordered to pay back the £10 to Mr Mullins, as well as £85 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.

Peter said: “I think she has got off lightly, but the main thing is we have exposed her as a thief and she won’t be able to do it to another vulnerable person in her care.

Care Connect confirmed that disciplinary action was started but Dignum resigned soon after.

Thomas Green, Care Connect director, said: “It’s distressing to hear and it is something which we dealt with quickly.

“We wish these things never happen, but every so often it does. This is the first time I have come across something like this as a director of Care Connect but it is these rare incidents that destroy reputations.

“All staff undergo DBS checks and references but as an employer, we always have to give people the benefit of the doubt to a degree. We have regular spot checks but on the rare occasion, these things go unnoticed.”