Care home manager jailed over 'despicable' fraud

Keeley Coleman was jailed for using business and residents' bank cards for herself

A care home manager who used her position to steal more than £55,000 in a "despicable and cynical fraud" has been jailed.

Keeley Coleman was employed at the Old Vicarage Care Home in Ollerton, which cares for adults with complex needs, between December 2020 and October 2023.

After Coleman left, concerns over finances were reported to police, who found she had been withdrawing money on business and residents' cards and spending most of it on herself.

At Nottingham Crown Court, Coleman, 48, of Savile Road in Bilsthorpe, pleaded guilty to three counts of fraud by abuse of position and one of false accounting, and was sentenced to two years and seven months in prison.

Police said their investigation discovered a large shortfall in spending on residents compared with the amount being withdrawn from cash machines by Coleman.

Other members of staff had to bring in old children's clothes for a resident because Coleman told them they had no allowance left.

Officers found more than £4,000 had been withdrawn in this resident's name, but they only received £1,680.

Speaking after the sentencing on 20 August, Det Con Shaun Healy said: "Coleman was placed into a position of trust to look after people with severe and complex needs.

"They were unable to look after their own finances, and she was trusted to ensure they had everything they needed.

"Coleman instead withdrew cash and then deposited it in her own accounts. It was a despicable and cynical fraud against a group of very vulnerable people.

"She started by taking small amounts but this increased as time went on.

"I'm grateful to other members of staff for raising their suspicions and for their assistance during the investigation."