Face of the Sheffield nurse who stole from 81-year-old dementia patient

Caroline Bastable took food, medication and a £300 gold bangle while the woman, who lives in the Barnsley area, was asleep, on three dates in December 2017, said prosecutor Michael Greenhalgh.

The woman's family became suspicious and installed CCTV after things began going missing, Sheffield Crown Court heard.

Bastable also made false entries in a daily log-book, claiming to have fed the woman and given her medication when she didn't.

When she was interviewed by police she denied stealing anything and said they were gifts.

The court heard the 81-year-old woman became distressed when the bangle, which had sentimental value, disappeared.

The ambulance had to be called out on several occasions to give assistance, Mr Greenhalgh added.

Daniel Penman, mitigating, said Bastable, a qualified nurse who worked for a private company called Quality Home Care, claimed to have no recollection of the offences.

"She accepts responsibility for these offences. She does wish her heartfelt apologies to the family for the distress she has caused."

He said Bastable has since had a heart attack and has to wear a cardiac vest. She became addicted to prescription opiates but is now trying to tackle the problem, he added.

"She has buried her head in the sand and has been in denial about the charges she faces," he said. "She will never work in the care industry again."

She was assessed by the probation services as being at high risk to those she cares for, and the court heard she currently cares for her mother.

Bastable, 42, of Wheatacre Road, Stocksbridge, Sheffield, pleaded guilty to wilful neglect and theft in November 2019.

Judge Michael Slater told her: "You had responsibility for an elderly and vulnerable lady that you had in your care and that was a responsibility you flouted in a serious and unpleasant way."

He said she would have been aware of the implications of not giving her patient the right medication, and said she deliberately covered up her failings. He sentenced her to 12 months in prison. She will serve half of that term before she is released.