Carer Janet Walker fleeced her blind victim, 92

Jun 22 2009 by Katy Simpson, The Journal

“I was upset and I think everyone was, because everyone liked her. All anyone could think was that she must have done it because she got into debt.”

The court heard how Walker admitted when confronted that she had taken the money to spend on Christmas, petrol and food.

The offences spanned a period of a month between November 24 and December 21 last year.

The victim has since been compensated for her loss by the bank. “Initially police were unaware who was responsible for those offences,” said Jacqueline Wilkinson, prosecuting. They were, however, able to obtain some CCTV footage in relation to some of the transactions that clearly showed Walker was responsible.

“She did express remorse immediately and said what she had done was absolutely despicable,” said Ms Wilkinson. “She said the victim was a nice lady and she was quite disgusted with herself.”

Walker was jailed for six months after admitting one count of theft and two offences of fraud and asked for a further 18 similar offences to be taken into consideration.

Jamie Adams, defending, said married Walker was of previous good character, acknowledged what she had done was despicable and was deeply ashamed.

He said she had suffered severe long-term personal problems including lack of confidence and self-worth.

“Christmas was approaching,” Mr Adams said.

“She did not feel she was able to contribute to presents for the children and the wider family and she was just incredibly vulnerable and so when the opportunity presented itself in the way it did, she took it.

“There was always an inevitability it would come back to her. She has lived in absolute dread she is going to lose her liberty.”

Jailing Walker, Judge Michael Cartlidge said: “The reason why in my view I have to impose an effective prison sentence is that the defendant was working as a carer for Age Concern at the time.

“The victim of this offending was a 92-year-old lady who was disabled. She was blind and she was extremely vulnerable.”

No-one from Age Concern was available to comment.