Newark woman sentenced after admitting stealing £16,000 from a vulnerable man on the day he died
She had been caring for the 71-year-old man for around six months and had become a trusted friend
A carer from the Newark area has been given a suspended sentence after she admitted stealing more than £16,000 from a vulnerable man on the day he died.
Nottingham Crown Court heard that 48-year-old Clair Sohail of Wolfit Avenue in Balderton had been caring for the 71-year-old for around 6 months and had become a trusted friend.
Sohail had gone round to the man's address in Balderton after learning that he had died in hospital and helped herself to £16,800 in cash.
The case was heading for trial until Sohail, changed her plea to guilty on 18 July last year.
She appeared at Nottingham Crown Court for sentencing on Wednesday (10th January) and was jailed for one year and eight months, suspended for 18 months. She must also undertake a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement of up to 25 days.
Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Anna Haynes, of Nottinghamshire Police’s Fraud Investigation Team, said:
“Sohail preyed on a vulnerable man who believed she had his best interests at heart.
“What she did on the day he died was despicable. She was in a position of trust and sadly abused it for her own selfish gain. Sohail’s crime has prolonged the family’s grief and I hope this sentence will provide some comfort and allow them to move on.
“I also hope this case sends a message that Nottinghamshire Police takes financial abuse really seriously and that we investigate all reports we receive thoroughly.
“We're glad that we were able to bring Sohail before the courts and that she's now been held to account for her crime.”