Man jailed for stealing £10,000 from woman he cared for in Wirksworth
He admitted four counts of fraud by false representation
A man has been jailed for 18 months, after he admitted stealing nearly £10,000 from a vulnerable woman he cared for in North Derbyshire.
Tom Ssematiko pleaded guilty to four counts of fraud by false representation during May 2021, while he was employed as a care worker for the victim in Wirksworth.
Derby Crown Court heard that the 59-year-old opened her bank statements and set up online banking without her permission.
He then made three transfers to his own account, totalling more than £9,000.
Ssematiko, of Moor Furlong, in Stretton, Burton-on-Trent, then tried to make a fourth transfer, but it was declined, and the victim's bank blocked her account.
After a genuine online purchase was stopped another carer helped the victim by taking her to her bank on 19 May, and they realised what had happened. It was then reported to police by her bank.
The care agencies Ssematiko worked for helped with police inquiries, and he was arrested in Wales on 25 May. He was questioned and subsequently charged.
Ssematiko appeared at Derby Crown Court on Monday 9 August and he was sentenced to a total of 18 months imprisonment.
Detective Sergeant Richard Kubon said: “We are pleased with the result and we hope that the victim is given some comfort by the sentence given.
"This crime was a disgraceful act where Ssematiko abused his position of trust while caring for a vulnerable woman and took advantage of her for his own greed.”