Carer who stole £40k from vulnerable adults jailed

Toni Wilkinson of Oldbury handed herself into the police in August 2023

A support worker has been jailed for two and a half years after she stole money from vulnerable adults while helping them to do their shopping.

As part of her job, Toni Wilkinson, from Oldbury, took adults with learning difficulties out to buy their groceries. She used their bank cards to withdraw cash to pay for the goods but would keep some of the money for herself.

West Midlands Police said Wilkinson reported herself to the force in August 2023 and told officers she was "ashamed" of her actions, having taken more than £40,000 from two people.

The 46-year-old admitted fraud by abuse of position and was sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court on Friday.

The force added that she had told officers that, on occasion, she had taken one of the vulnerable adults' bank cards and used it to withdraw money without them knowing.

Wilkinson claimed the money had been used to pay for household bills and debts.

She will appear at Birmingham Crown Court for a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing on 9 June to uncover the total amount of her illegal earnings.