An 84-year-old woman’s caregiver has been found guilty of stealing her savings and spending close to £50,000 on vacations and luxury goods, as revealed in court.
Paula Leyland, aged 37, had been providing care for the elderly woman since she suffered a hip injury three years ago. Initially employed by Bluebird, a care service provider, Leyland continued visiting the victim even after the official contract had ended, using the woman’s bank card and PIN for personal shopping.
The victim, a widow living alone, was unaware of Leyland’s misappropriation of funds and even gifted Leyland £4,000 for home improvements. Over a nearly two-year period, Leyland unlawfully spent £49,763 from the widow’s account on various items, including holidays, parking tickets, and tanning sessions.
During the court proceedings at Liverpool Crown Court on January 29, Judge Charlotte Crangle highlighted that while some of the money was spent on essentials like groceries and school supplies, the bulk was used for non-essential items such as holidays and beauty products.
The fraudulent activities came to light when the victim’s bank card was declined, prompting an inquiry by the Pilkington Family Trust. Leyland, residing in St Helens, was subsequently terminated from her position at Bluebird due to misconduct.
In her statement to the court, the elderly woman expressed her emotional distress upon discovering Leyland’s betrayal of trust. She mentioned feeling unsafe in her own home and struggling to trust others following the incident.
Leyland admitted to the fraud charges, acknowledging the severity of her actions and expressing remorse. Her defense attorney, Mike O’Brien, emphasized the potential negative impact of a custodial sentence on Leyland’s three children and highlighted her regret and acceptance of responsibility.
Judge Crangle, while considering the impact on the victim and Leyland’s personal circumstances, sentenced Leyland to 18 months, suspended for 18 months. Additionally, Leyland was ordered to complete 20 rehabilitation days and 200 hours of unpaid work as part of her sentence.
