Preston care worker stole £7,000 from disabled woman

Ruth Fort’s campaign of dishonesty was uncovered by her husband after he became suspicious about her spending habits.

Preston Crown Court (Sessions House) heard how he had found a bank card belonging to another woman in his wife’s handbag and immediately reported her to the police.

Later investigations uncovered that in total, £7,000 was taken by Fort, who even used the card while holidaying in Mexico.

Prosecuting the case, Jack Troup said: “The complainant is a resident at Chrystal Hall Residents Home in Preston. The defendant was employed by that institution to assist and care for the woman, due to her health difficulties.

“She is wheel-chair bound and has mental health difficulties which cause her significant problems.

“One of the duties the defendant was to carry out was to take the victim on shopping trips and the like. Because of the victim’s difficulties, Ms Ford would undertake to withdrawer money and the likes from the cash point for her to spend on whatever she wished.

“The case only emerged with the assistance of Antony Fort. He said in November 2019 he became concerned about the defendant’s spending habits.

“They had all gone on holiday to Mexico in 2018 and while there, Mr Ford became concerned that the defendant was spending money that they didn’t have.”

The court heard how one night the Mr Ford was woken up by the defendant, who was talking in her sleep. He looked over at her and could see her handbag had been strewn across the floor, with a number of £20 notes spilling out.

While he was returning the contents of the purse he found the victim’s bankcard.

He challenged his wife and she made admissions about stealing the money.

Mr Fort reported his wife’s conduct to the police and an investigation was launched.

The 46-year-old, of Harrowby Road, Birkinhead, pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of her position at an earlier court hearing.

Recorder Sarah Johnston imposed a 16 month jail sentence upon Fort, suspended for 18 months.