9:00am Friday 5th February 2010
A NURSING home administrator who took thousands of pounds of residents’ money was suffering psychiatric problems at the time, a court heard.
Brenda Allen, 45, took £5,900 belonging to four residents at Abigail Lodge Nursing Home, in Consett.
But she avoided an immediate prison sentence after Durham Crown Court was told of her psychiatric difficulties during the period of the offending, between July and November, in 2004.
The court heard that she had control of the residents’ general funds and transferred sums of between £100 and £1,000, either directly, or via a third party, into her own bank account.
Allen’s activities only came to light four years later when the family of one of the victims noticed discrepancies in her account following her death. Money was recorded as having been given to the family, which they never received.
Euan Duff, prosecuting, said inquiries revealed similar thefts involving three other residents.
Mr Duff said she even typed a letter, purporting to be from the son of one resident, asking for £100 cash to account for one of the thefts.
Allen, of Ottringham Close, Dumpling Hall, Newcastle, who was known as Brenda Carey at the time of the offending, admitted 12 charges of theft.
Peter Schofield, mitigating, said she had no recollection of stealing from the residents. A psychiatric report previously presented to the court claimed she was suffering post-traumatic disorder, leaving her unfit to enter pleas. But it was only after a second opinion was sought that it was agreed she was fit to plead.
Mr Schofield said Allen’s depression in 2004 followed the death of her mother and a divorce.
He said the thefts were effectively a “cry for help”, having never previously offended, and she now wanted to apologise.
Recorder Martin Bethel QC said he accepted “with difficulty” that she was undergoing psychiatric problems.
But he also pointed to the “calculated and deliberate” nature of the thefts.
He imposed a 51-week prison sentence, suspended for two years, during which Allen must undergo psychiatric treatment.
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