6:17pm Monday 8th March 2010
LITTLE money may be redeemed from a former nursing home administrator who stole thousands of pounds of residents’ money.
Brenda Allen, now 45, took £5,900 belonging to four residents at Abigail Lodge Nursing Home, in Consett, County Durham, between July and November, 2004.
She escaped an immediate prison sentence in January, after Durham Crown Court was told she was suffering mental health problems at the time.
Allen transferred sums of between £100 and £1,000, either directly, or via a third party, into her own bank account.
Her activities only emerged four years later when the family of one victim noticed discrepancies in her accounts following her death.
Money was recorded as having been given to the family which they never received and inquiries revealed similar thefts involving three other residents, who have each also died.
Allen, who was known as Brenda Carey at the time of the offending, admitted 12 charges of theft.
Peter Schofield, for Allen, told January’s sentencing hearing that she had no recollection of stealing from the residents as she is now believed to have been suffering a form of post-traumatic disorder following the death of her mother and a divorce, in 2004.
Mr Schofield described the thefts as "a cry for help", by someone who had never previously offended.
Passing a 51-week prison sentence, suspended for two years, during which Allen must undergo psychiatric treatment, Recorder Martin Bethel QC said he accepted, "with difficulty", she was suffering mental health difficulties at the time.
But he also pointed to the "calculated and deliberate" nature of the thefts.
A Proceeds of Crime hearing, at the court yesterday (MON), was told although £62,000 is recorded as having gone into Allen’s bank account around the time of the thefts, she now has few "available funds".
Mr Schofield said the outcome would probably be a "nominal order" due to her limited means, as her house in Dumpling Hall, Newcastle, is in negative equity.
Judge Christopher Prince adjourned the case to a final settlement hearing, at the court, on May 10.
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