JANINE Gordon who stole over £5,000 from a dementia suffer in her care has avoided jail and will only serve 150 hours as part of a community payback order.
The victim in her early 70s, a resident of Highgate Care Home in Uddingston, South Lanarkshire will only receive £400 compensation from her – less than 10 percent of the amount stolen from her.
It is understood the theft was initially reported in July 2019, and following an investigation Ms Gordon was subsequently arrested and charged last year.
The court case was delayed due to mental health reasons however she was sentenced at Hamilton Sheriff Court on June 1.
A source from within the care home told SWD Media: “The lady kept saying her bankcard was missing, and it kept turning back up.
“It went missing again when Janine was on holiday, and the victims brother ordered a new one.
“He opened a letter he believed was the new card, but it turned out to be a bank statement and it was then that the regular thefts was uncovered.”
Police were contacted and they retrieved CCTV from local cashpoints and shops, where she was seen withdrawing money and using the contactless card to make purchases in excess of £5,000.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “A 27 year old woman was arrested and charged in connection with a number of thefts from a care home in Uddingston.
“A report was submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.”
A spokesperson for Highgate Care Home said: “We have a zero-tolerance approach to this behaviour and will always take swift and comprehensive action against any individual that breaches the trust placed in them.
“When the incident was discovered in 2019, we immediately contacted the appropriate authorities and took steps to suspend the individual, investigate, and terminate their employment.”
Commenting on the sentencing, a former member staff at the care home said: “It’s an absolute joke that the court has been so lenient.
“I’m heartbroken as I knew the woman personally, and she is one of life’s little sweethearts.”
The Scottish Social Services Council confirmed they were aware of the situation, but were unable to comment on individual cases.
Janine Gordon, now 28, also living in Uddingston, declined to comment when contacted.
