A "cold, cruel and calculating" carer is now behind bars after she used the bank details of vulnerable care home residents to gamble and to buy takeaways, clothes and gifts.
Cheryl Pratt, 35, was a senior support worker at a care home in the York.
She was caught using her position to target elderly and vulnerable residents – taking more than £17,000 from their bank accounts for her own gain.
Following an investigation by North Yorkshire Police, Pratt pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment for fraud at York Crown Court today.
A 'cold, cruel and calculating' carer is now behind bars after she used the bank details of vulnerable care home residents to gamble and to buy takeaways, clothes and gifts
North Yorkshire Police
Pratt’s crimes were discovered when the brother of one of the victims noticed unexpected activity on her bank account. An internal investigation was carried out, Pratt was dismissed, and police were called in.
Officers found that Pratt had set up online accounts in the names of residents.
She transferred money from the residents’ bank accounts into those online accounts, and then into her own account. The majority of this money was spent on gambling websites.
She also used a resident’s bank details to make online purchases, ordering takeaway food, clothes and gifts for her family.
When interviewed by police, she claimed that all cash withdrawals had been made with the account holder’s permission.
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But a doctor responsible for overseeing their medical care gave evidence that none of the victims would have been able to provide true consent for anyone to take money from their accounts.
Pratt was charged with five counts of fraud, between August 2020 and September 2021 – representing a total financial loss to five victims of just over £17,000.
DC Oliver Dalby, of North Yorkshire Police, said: “Cheryl Pratt’s offending was cold, cruel and calculated. As a senior carer, she knew which residents would be the most vulnerable to financial exploitation – and these were the people she targeted.
“She abused her position, disregarding her duty to safeguard the care home residents in pursuit of her own self-interest.
Cheryl Pratt’s crimes were discovered when the brother of one of the victims noticed unexpected activity on her bank account (stock image)
Getty“The victims and her former colleagues have been left utterly devastated by her actions, and it is right that she faces the consequences of her crimes.
"I’d also like to thank the victims and the care home staff for their patience and support during this investigation.”
Fraud is when criminals use deception to gain someone’s trust and trick them into handing over money, personal details, or valuable possessions.
There are many types of fraud, including cyber fraud, mail scams, and identity theft. Along with contacting the police, victims of fraud can contact Action Fraud to report a fraud via our online fraud reporting tool, or by calling Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040. More information can be found here.
