Carer used OAP's bank card at ATMs to steal £20,000

Linda Dobbie will be sentenced next month

A carer stole £20,000 from a vulnerable elderly patient after using her bank card to withdraw money from ATMs.

Linda Dobbie, 50, took the cash from Anne Beck at various locations in Glasgow between July 2017 and December 2018.

Dobbie, who was employed by firm Carr Gomm, told police she used the money to pay back her son's drug debt.

The first offender pled guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to embezzling £20,000 from Ms Beck.

'Position of trust'

The court heard the victim - who was aged between 71 and 73 - suffers from reduced mobility and severe mental health issues.

It was also stated she has poor hearing and her judgement has been affected by the fact she has taken strong medication for most of her life.

Prosecutor Katie Bell said: "Miss Beck was unaware of this incident which was exploited due to her health condition and carers looking after her finances."

Dobbie was described as being in a "position of trust".

The hearing was told a witness became suspicious after she discovered that some of Ms Beck's bank statements were missing around December 2018.

Weekly withdrawals

New statements were ordered and the witness noticed there was an ongoing course of action.

Ms Bell said: "She became aware large sums of money appeared to be missing from the account and she carried out her own inquiries to confirm anything suspicious before contacting the police."

It was noted that £300 was being withdrawn regularly, with the first transaction taking place on 12 July 2017.

Similar withdrawals were made on a weekly basis, sometimes twice a week, until December 2018.

A company noting system was in place which tracked patient and staff movements.

Ms Bell told the court this showed Ms Beck wasn't out of the flat and that Dobbie was working on each of the occasions the money was withdrawn.

Police were notified and Dobbie admitted to officers and her employers that she had taken the cash.

'Under pressure'

Miss Bell added: "She said she was under pressure as her son owed money to a drug dealer."

Grazia Robertson, defending, told the court that Dobbie received no financial benefit from the embezzlement.

Sheriff Michael Hanlon deferred sentence until next month, pending background reports.

He said: "Due to the seriousness, no matter what the background circumstances are it goes without saying this was a gross breach of trust on a vulnerable adult.

"I will be looking at all options."

Dobbie, of Govan, was granted bail.