Latest news with #careworker
BBC News
5 days ago
- BBC News
Darlington woman 'fleeced by greedy care worker'
A "greedy" care worker "preyed upon and fleeced" a disabled woman she was looking after at a residential home, a court has Kirwin, 43, took at least £2,250 from the woman, who needed 24-hour care, over two years, including £1,000 while the victim was in hospital after a fall, Teesside Crown Court told the woman "sob" stories about needing money to feed her children but instead spent cash given to her out of "kindness" on alcohol and gambling, Judge Richard Bennett from Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, was jailed for 10 months, suspended for 18 months, after admitting fraud by false representation and abuse of position. The victim had Huntington's disease and had been living in care homes for eight years before coming under the care of assistant and support worker Kirwin at a residence in Darlington, prosecutor Rachel Butt woman required 24-hour care, used a wheelchair, was fed through a tube and had limited speech, the court heard. 'Paranoid and foolish' In June last year, the woman was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital after suffering a fall, Ms Butt there, she told her son she was worried about money after receiving messages from her bank saying her account was nearly empty, the court was quickly revealed Kirwin, of Bakewell Place, had used the woman's bank card to steal £1,000 while the victim was in hospital, Ms Butt had used the card to make multiple payments to gambling sites, the court woman then disclosed she had given Kirwin at least £1,250 over the previous two years after the care assistant said she needed money to buy food for her children, Ms Butt reality, that had been "no more than a sob story" with Kirwin instead spending it on alcohol and gambling, Judge Bennett a statement read to the court, the victim's son said his mum had to move to a new care home and they found it very difficult to trust anyone."I thought she was safe and I could trust the people looking after her," the man said, adding he was now "paranoid" and felt "foolish" for not realising his mother was being financially abused. 'Disgraceful and appalling' Judge Bennett said Kirwin had "preyed upon" and "fleeced" the "vulnerable" woman, adding the full amount stolen could not be ascertained but he suspected it was "much higher" than the £2,250 she had been "very greedy" when committing her "mean" offences and "took advantage of this lady's kindness", the judge said she deserved to go to prison for her "disgraceful" and "appalling" conduct but was being spared solely for the sake of her children, who would have to go into care if she were could not be ordered due to Kirwin's heavy debts, but the judge said he hoped the woman's bank would refund her as she had been a victim of crime through no fault of her own.A restraining order banning Kirwin from contacting the woman was also made to last for 10 years. Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Yahoo
10-08-2025
- Yahoo
"Reckless" care worker caught on video masturbating in car after client visit
A national shortage of ADHD medication after Brexit and Covid was blamed for an Isle of Wight care worker's 'reckless' decision to masturbate in his car after a client visit. James Gilbert, of Mill Hill Road in Cowes, attended the IW Magistrates' Court for sentencing on Friday, August 8. The 25-year-old admitted committing an act of outraging public decency. The court heard that Gilbert had been working in his role as a care worker on November 25 last year, and, following a visit to a client's home, he was seen masturbating in his car on Wellington Road in Carisbrooke. Recommended reading: Stalker smeared dog poo on victim's van and stuck sex toys to his front door Island man's 'shocking' catalogue of offending against police and the public Prosecutor Rhys Evans said the act was filmed by a resident on the street, with the footage sent to his agency manager before being passed on to police. At a previous hearing, the court heard that Gilbert told officers during an interview that he was 'letting off steam' and considered his car a private space. Oscar Vincent, defending, said the person who had filmed the act had made a 'concerted' effort to video his client, implying that the offence had not been committed in full public view. The court heard that, following Brexit and the Covid pandemic, Gilbert's ADHD medication had been changed to an alternative due to a national shortage. Reading a letter from a doctor, Mr Vincent told magistrates the medication change caused 'unusual behaviour' of which Gilbert had no control. Magistrates instead described it as 'reckless behaviour,' and handed Gilbert a nine-month community order, which includes eight rehabilitation days. He must also pay a £120 fine, £114 surcharge and £85 in court costs.
Yahoo
02-08-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Care worker wins award for her dedication to learning
A care worker has won a regional award for her dedication and commitment to learning. Pippa Munnoch, who works at Shawford Springs Care Home in Shawford, has been named Learner of the Year for the South Division in the Barchester Care Awards 2025. Pippa said: "I am absolutely thrilled and honoured to be named Learner of the Year for the South Division. "This recognition means so much to me, and it's all thanks to the support from my amazing team and the residents who inspire me every day." READ MORE: Care home resident celebrates 101st with circus party She is now through to the national finals of the awards, which celebrate staff who go above and beyond for the 13,500 residents living in Barchester's 267 care homes and private hospitals across the UK. Cassie Munnoch, general manager at Shawford Springs, said: "This is an amazing achievement and the whole home is supporting Pippa. "We are so proud of her."
ABC News
31-07-2025
- ABC News
Alleged paedophile worked at almost 60 Sydney OOSH centres
A Sydney out-of-school-hours care worker has been accused of producing child abuse material involving 10 children aged five and six. Artarmon man David James was charged by Australian Federal Police in October and remains in custody, but his identity has been suppressed until now.
Irish Times
23-07-2025
- Irish Times
Judge calls for resources to be provided to case of man accused of Parnell Square attacks
A judge has called for resources to be provided to the case of Riad Bouchaker, who is charged with assaulting a care worker and attempting to murder three children on Parnell Square in Dublin. At the Central Criminal Court on Wednesday, counsel for the prosecution said that the defence have provided a psychiatric report on the accused, but the prosecution is now preparing their own report, which is expected by the middle of October. Mr Justice Paul McDermott put the matter back to October 22nd, noting that 'serious difficulties' were being faced due to the delay in the case. 'Someone needs to provide resources for this case,' he said. READ MORE Mr Bouchaker (51), of no fixed abode, is charged with the attempted murder of two girls and one boy. He is also charged with assault causing serious harm to a care worker and possession or production of a knife. The incident occurred at Parnell Square on the afternoon of November 23rd, 2023. In December last year, the court was told that a psychiatrist assessing the accused man deemed it necessary to have further work carried out by a neuropsychologist. In April, the court heard that the expert's report had been made available, but the psychiatrist requested a further four weeks to review matters. The court also heard that the treating doctor had encountered delays accessing the defendant in prison and with regards to the availability of an interpreter. In May of this year, Mr Justice McDermott noted the age of the complainants and said the case must be given priority as soon as the psychiatric issue was resolved. He asked that everyone involved, including lawyers and professionals, 'strain themselves' to ensure it gets on as quickly as possible. When the case returned before the court in June, a senior counsel acting for Mr Bouchaker said that he received the psychiatric report and would make it available to the Director of Public Prosecutions in due course. In February of this year, the Department of Justice and the courts announced a protocol to fast-track trials involving children. The courts have committed to completing the trial process within one year, where possible, if a child is the alleged victim or perpetrator.
