Stole from dementia sufferer (91)
Fiona Elizabeth Birch (53), of Tromery Drive, Crumlin, pleaded guilty a charge of fraud by false representation when she appeared at Antrim Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
She admitted dishonestly making a false representation by using a credit card belonging to an elderly lady on November 29 last year.
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Hide AdA prosecutor said Birch worked for Lisburn-based Bluebird Care and it was a case of theft by an employee .
The woman’s family uncovered the fraud when bank statements showed transactions which should not have been there.
The prosecutor said that at one stage Birch called a bank claiming to be the elderly lady and wanting statements sent to a new email but staff became suspicious as she did not sound like a 91-year-old.
Defence barrister Chris Sherrard said Birch has suffered from psychiatric issues and had been in Holywell Hospital in Antrim.
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Hide AdDistrict Judge Oonagh Mullan told Birch: “You were caring for an elderly patient with dementia and you abused that position.
“This is a very serious matter for which there can be imprisonment”.
Sentencing has been adjourned to January and Birch was released on her own bail of £500 with conditions that she does not attempt to contact the victim of her fraud or the woman’s family or go near her address.