Stole from dementia sufferer (91)

Fiona Elizabeth Birch (53), of Tromery Drive, Crumlin, pleaded guilty a charge of fraud by false representation when she appeared at Antrim Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

She admitted dishonestly making a false representation by using a credit card belonging to an elderly lady on November 29 last year.

A prosecutor said Birch worked for Lisburn-based Bluebird Care and it was a case of theft by an employee .

The woman’s family uncovered the fraud when bank statements showed transactions which should not have been there.

The prosecutor said that at one stage Birch called a bank claiming to be the elderly lady and wanting statements sent to a new email but staff became suspicious as she did not sound like a 91-year-old.

Defence barrister Chris Sherrard said Birch has suffered from psychiatric issues and had been in Holywell Hospital in Antrim.

District Judge Oonagh Mullan told Birch: “You were caring for an elderly patient with dementia and you abused that position.

“This is a very serious matter for which there can be imprisonment”.

Sentencing has been adjourned to January and Birch was released on her own bail of £500 with conditions that she does not attempt to contact the victim of her fraud or the woman’s family or go near her address.