Care home manager jailed after theft from elderly victim

Carleen Wilkins used her position to steal the victim’s bank card and then withdrew hundreds of pounds from the account every single day for more than a year.

Wilkins, 40, used the cash to pay off her debts and payday loans and even gambled money away at various casinos.

The 97-year-old victim was living in the care home in Handsworth Wood at the time of the offences and had no idea she had a bank card or a pin to access her account.

Wilkins, of Overdale Road, Quinton, was arrested after she escorted the victim to the bank in February last year.

The branch became suspicious and conducted checks which found daily ATM withdrawals over a 12 month period – a total well over £90,000.

Wilkins admitted withdrawing the cash but denied any wrongdoing – stating she withdrew money for the victim on a daily basis as she does not trust the bank, and even claimed the victim spent the vast amount on bottles of sherry.

The police investigation proved this was not the case and Wilkins eventually pleaded guilty to theft at Birmingham Crown Court and was jailed for 31 months.

DC Lisa Morris said afterwards: "Carleen Wilkins is a dishonest individual who abused her position of trust as a care worker to remove money from an elderly woman’s account for her own gain.

"She took advantage of the elderly victim being in poor health and away from the family home to steal in thousands of pounds to clear her debts and gamble.”