Carer fleeced 91-year-old woman for £2,000

But 53-year-old Jayne Paramore—whose actions were described by a judge as “deplorable”—escaped prison after a court heard she went through a “series of catastrophes.”

Mother-of-three Paramore stole the money from the elderly woman’s bank account after running into financial trouble and suffering a stroke, Sheffield Crown Court was told.

Paramore did not tell her family about her problems and they did not even know she was appearing in court.

Mr David Wain, prosecuting, said that Paramore had been employed as a care worker since 2003 and since April last year had been looking after the pensioner, who had signs of early dementia.

Paramore visited the old lady at her home three times a day and helped with her shopping for which she had access to her bank cards.

But over a period from May to July last year, Paramore stole more than £2,000 from her victim’s bank account, leaving it overdrawn with just £99 in when the thieving was uncovered.

Paramore, of Harewood Grove, Bramley, who admitted one offence of fraud, made full admissions when arrested and the bank repaid the old lady for her loss.

Mr Dermot Hughes, mitigating, said: “This is a particularly unpleasant offence and involves the deliberate taking of money from those who are vulnerable.”

He described Paramore as a “complicated character” who was heavily in debt, yet had not told her family.

“It is difficult to understand what has been going on in her house,” said Mr Hughes.

Paramore bore all the family’s financial responsibilities and was in need of medical attention having suffered a stroke, yet was unwilling to go to the doctor’s.

Judge Michael Murphy told Paramore: “What you did was deplorable. I can’t think of a higher degree of trust between carer and a 91-year-old woman who is suffering from dementia. Certainly, this case passes the custody threshold.”

After reading reports about her domestic situation, the judge said: “I do not think you are in sound mental health. Whatever is happening to you, you have a husband and two children who know nothing whatsoever about what has befallen you.

“They are bound to find out about it. This will happen—you must tell them.”

Judge Murphy said: “To sentence you to prison is what you richly deserve.”

But he added that it would only be a short term of custody and could send her “off the rails.”

Paramore was given a four-month jail term suspended for a year with supervision from the probation service and she was also ordered to attend a women’s project for 15 sessions.