Carer stole £16,000 from man on the day he died

Nottingham Crown Court heard Clair Sohail had claimed some of the money had been been a gift

A carer who stole more than £16,000 from a vulnerable Nottinghamshire man on the day he died has been sentenced.

Clair Sohail, 48, had been looking after the 71-year-old for about six months but went to his house and took the cash in June 2019, police said.

She initially claimed the money had come from her savings and gifts from the man but later admitted a charge of theft.

At Nottingham Crown Court on Wednesday, Sohail, from Wolfit Avenue, Balderton, was sentenced to one year and eight months in prison, suspended for 18 months.

Nottinghamshire Police said officers launched an investigation after concerns were raised by one of the deceased man's relatives.

At first, Sohail insisted she had taken the money and personal papers for safekeeping, then claimed it was made up of savings, gifts and a legacy.

Officers found she then made a string of high-value purchases including a £1,000 television, a luxury holiday in Spain and numerous catalogue purchases. She also paid her credit cards off in full.

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