Duo jailed after fleecing vulnerable sheltered housing residents of £265,000

Joanne Brownhill, 46, of Campion Drive, Sheffield, and Mandy Sargent, 49, of Myrtle Crescent, Rotherham, were each jailed for three-and-a-half years at Sheffield Crown Court today.

The duo were arrested after significant financial discrepancies were revealed at Mansfield View Supported Living Accommodation in Sheffield in 2013.

The facility provides accommodation for adults with learning disabilities, of whom many did not have the capacity to manage their own finances and require support from staff.

Detective Constable Jenny Elsley, from South Yorkshire Police, said that the sentencing came after a three-year investigation looking at more than 20,000 documents and thousands of transactions made by the women.

She said: “The victims’ families entrusted these women to care for their relatives and instead, they abused the unique positions of trust they held to exploit them.

“Their offending took place over a seven-year period. It was pre-meditated, sophisticated and they made proactive efforts in their record keeping to cover their tracks.

“Victims were highlighted and targeted, whereas other residents were left alone where there were Power of Attorney arrangements in place.”

Enquiries under the Proceeds of Crime Act are now underway to attempt to reclaim the money taken.