Carer Jailed After Stealing From Severely Handicapped Man In Aberdeen

A cruel carer was yesterday jailed for stealing 900 pounds from a severely handicapped man.

Carol Donald, 49, withdrew money from Terrence Farr's bank account because she was splitting up from her partner and strapped for cash.

She used his bank card three times to take out money from a supermarket ATM in Aberdeen without Mr Farr's permission.

Donald admitted stealing the cash from the disabled man she was caring for in a letter sent to Aberdeen Sheriff Court.

Jailing the carer for six months yesterday, sheriff Graeme Buchanan described the crime as a "gross breach of trust".

He said: "You were given a bank card in order to withdraw money which of course should have gone to the person for whom you were caring but instead you simply appropriated a substantial sum of money for your own use."

The sheriff said that Mr Farr should be compensated for his loss.

But he also stressed that a message should be sent out from the court that people who commit such a "mean" offence would face a significant sentence.

The court heard that Mr Farr suffers from epilepsy and spina bifida and was unable to walk unassisted without the use of a wheelchair.

The crime came to light when the service manager noticed irregular transactions had been made when checking his bank statements.

Defence lawyer David Sutherland said his client had offered to pay 100 pounds a month in compensation.

He said Donald had suffered family financial difficulties and was moving home due to a separation at the time.

The carer, of Aberdeen, pled guilty to stealing the cash between January 17 and February 22 last year in an offence aggravated by prejudice relating to disability.

Sheriff Buchanan described it as a serious offence.