Sheffield woman 'abused trust' to steal from dementia sufferer

Caroline Bastable was caught on CCTV rifling through her victim’s drawers in search of cash and valuables, and was also shown failing to give medication the woman needed.

The 42-year-old former carer, of Wheatacre Road, Sheffield, is awaiting sentencing after she admitted wilful neglect and theft.

The victim’s son grew suspicious and installed CCTV after items like food and milk began to disappear from his mother’s home in Barnsley in November 2017, and a family friend noticed cash and cigarettes which had been hidden around the house were also missing.

The next month, footage from the cameras showed Bastable helping herself to food from the kitchen cupboards and rifling through drawers, jewellery boxes and purses in search of cash and valuables.

On one occasion, she stole a gold bangle as the pensioner slept in the same room. Later that same evening, she helped herself to toiletries and perfume from gift sets.

Some of the stolen items were recovered by police when Bastable’s home was searched following her arrest on December 17, 2017.

Bastable was also regularly seen failing to give the house-bound victim her medication and when questioned by police said she ‘must have forgotten’ to do so.

Detective Constable Sam Carr, of Rotherham CID, who led the investigation, said: “This has been a lengthy inquiry and I would like to thank the victim’s family for their support and assistance over the past two years.

“The victim’s son and daughter-in-law relied upon and trusted Bastable to take care of their mum at her most vulnerable. To abuse this trust, and her position, is disgusting and I am pleased that Bastable is now facing a substantial prison term.”

Bastable appeared at Doncaster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, where she pleaded guilty to three counts of wilful neglect and two counts of theft. She is due to be sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court on January 9.