‘They used to joke with her’ - elderly couple refused to believe carer was stealing money
Carer holding hands of senior woman - Credit: Getty Images
A woman has described how her elderly grandparents refused to believe their carer, who they had built up trust in, had stolen from their savings.
Young carer giving helping hands for elderly woman - Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto
Jennifer Elaine Parsons, 29, had been caring for an elderly couple, aged 96 and 89, in Burnham Overy Staithe for the agency Extra Hands. But when money and treasured items started going missing in April, suspicions were raised.
A police operation using a covert camera eventually proved that Parsons had been stealing money, and she later pleaded guilty to two counts of theft.
The couple's granddaughter, 45, said: "I visit them every couple of days with my children. I could tell they were distressed as they were hiding in their bedroom.
"They said a lot of their savings, which they hid in small amounts in envelopes, went missing."
King's Lynn magistrates court Picture: Chris Bishop - Credit: Archant
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An envelope the couple had used to store money in for 40 years was discovered in the recycling bin the same day that Parsons had visited.
The granddaughter called officers who set up the sting involving a camera and marked money.
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The mother-of-four said: "My grandfather hasn't been out of the house socially for about six years.
"When he put on his jacket to go for a hospital appointment he noticed his wallet was missing which has a note from his mother in from 90 years ago.
"They liked the carer and they used to joke with her and she would shower them but when I went to the cabinet and saw that £30 of the £50 had been taken they wouldn't believe that it was her.
"I showed them that the money was gone and they said she didn't go near the cabinet."
Earlier this month, Parsons, of Tower Road, Burnham Overy Staithe, was given 12 weeks custody, which will run concurrently, suspended for a year.
She was also handed a 12-month community order with 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days and told to write a letter of apology to the victims and pay £130 compensation to the victims.
King's Lynn Magistrates Court saw a video showing Parsons taking the money and putting it into her bra.
The granddaughter added: "My grandfather is pleased that it can't happen to anyone else now."
