A carer has been jailed for two years having stolen £20,000 from a blind, bed-ridden man suffering from multiple sclerosis. Charlanne Pinfield was the primary carer of 62 year old Roger La Croix and stole the money to spend £500 on online bingo.

The Worcester mother of three stole the money over a two year period. The 38 year old admitted three offences of fraud making unauthorised withdrawals from his bank and investment fund to the Worcester Court. Prosecutor, Gareth Walters claimed Mr La Croix had been confined to his bed years and required 24-hour attention from two carers. The duties were shared with Pinfiled’s mother Rona Graham, who was also his former partner.

Mrs Graham subsequently relocated to Cornwall, and the defendant took on the role of principal carer, assisted by her sister Michelle. Mr La Croix had “very inexpensive tastes” which included food, drink and three cigars a day. In 2008 and 2009 money far in excess of wages needed to pay for carers was withdrawn from his accounts.

During an investigation it was uncovered that Pinfield was spending up to £500 a month on online bingo. When interviewed, she claimed that the money had been withdrawn to legitimately been used to pay wages and that Croix was an impulsive buyer.

In defence, Charles Hamer, claimed his client had no previous convictions or any explanation about how she came to steal the money. She had genuinely cared for Mr La Croix but fell subject to temptation when there were financial pressures following her mother's move to Cornwall. He also claimed that at one point she had even paid back £5,000 of the money taken.

The victim was reported to be "gutted" by what had happened.

The recorder added that it was a gross and repeated breach of trust and he was imposing custody to deter other people in similar position from stealing from the people they were supposed to look after.

Investigation PC Kirsty Hickling welcomed the sentence.