Care home manager guilty of fraud

The manager stole money from two of the care home residents

A Derbyshire care manager has admitted stealing money from residents at a care home by withdrawing money from their accounts using their bank cards.

Caroline Ward, 50, of Darklands Road, Swadlincote, who worked at Gresley Care Home pleaded guilty to two charges of theft and two of fraud.

She stole a total of £1,850 from care home residents in Church Gresley, Derby Crown Court heard.

As manager, she was responsible for the financial affairs of two residents.

She had control of their bank cards, and on 14 occasions withdrew money from their accounts.

Mary Bates, from the Swadlincote area, sister of one of the victims, said: "I was devastated because I had trusted this woman - I had been totally fooled. I thought my brother was in safe hands."

She said some care home residents were vulnerable because they "have no one to speak for them".

Mrs Bates said the conviction might make other people who were thinking of stealing from care home residents "to think twice".

Ward will be sentenced on 19 February.