Care worker who stole more than £2,800 from 92-year-old woman hit with suspended prison sentence

A care worker who stole more than £2,800 from a 92-year-old woman by forging her signature on cheques has been given a suspended jail sentence.

Deborah Raven, 45, of The Lawn, Whittlesford, initially pleaded not guilty at court, but later changed her plea to guilty and was sentenced on Friday, March 14, at Cambridge Crown Court.

Raven began providing care for the victim at her home in Shepreth during 2012.

She provided her with meals and medication three times a day, however, in April of last year a friend of the victim noticed an unusual amount of money was leaving her bank account.

Raven was interviewed by police in June last year, but she claimed the victim has leant her the money by signing cheques and allowing her to fill out the other details.

However, handwriting analysis revealed it was unlikely the victim had signed the cheques and Raven was charged with theft.

The court heard Raven had forged signatures on four cheques, totalling £2847.31, in December 2012, two in January 2013 and another in March 2013.

She was sentenced to nine months in prison, suspended for 24 months, and ordered to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work. She was also ordered to reimburse the victim’s bank, which had returned the stolen money to the victim’s account, with the whole amount at a rate of £50 per week.

DC Emma Beart, from Cambridgeshire Police’s Public Protection Department, said: “This was a breach of trust by someone who should have had the best interests of this vulnerable lady at heart.

“Raven will have this prison sentence hanging over her for two years and I hope it make her think twice before stealing again.”