A woman who stole thousands of pounds from a vulnerable resident at the care home in Bath where she was working has admitted a charge of fraud.
The former Newbridge House care home in Bath | Photo © Christie & Co
At Bath Magistrates’ Court on Monday 16th February, remorseful Mariyam Yasmin admitted she had dishonestly abused her position at Newbridge Towers Care Home to make a gain for herself of £9,457.84.
The charge related to a period between 29th March 2021 and 12th February 2022.
The 38-year-old had been due to appear in court on 11th February, but after she failed to attend, a warrant without bail was issued. It was withdrawn after she turned up in court voluntarily on the 16th.
As activities coordinator at Newbridge Towers, Yasmin had been expected to safeguard the financial interests of a resident with learning difficulties who was partially disabled.
The court heard that although she had helped him with some online shopping, his details were auto-filling when she was buying items for herself, instead of her own account details.
She knew it would catch up with her, but was “not in the right frame of mind” at the time to sort it out.
The man moved to another Bath care home – Cleeve Court – in February 2022 after Newbridge Towers closed. He reported to staff there that many transactions had been made from his Halifax bank account without his permission when he was at Newbridge Towers.
Duty solicitor Jo Hooper told the magistrates that Yasmin, who was of previous good character, had been having difficulties in her personal life at the time. Using his account had been “opportunistic”, but she had allowed it to carry on. Ms Hooper highlighted that the care home policy had been “lax”.
She added that Yasmin “feels terrible guilt” and has apologised to the victim via his social worker.
Magistrates committed Yasmin, who now lives in London, to Bristol Crown Court for sentencing next month.
The Halifax is looking to recover more than £6,800, and a confiscation order under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) will be considered at the Crown Court. She was granted unconditional bail.
