‘Greed’ of carer who stole from disabled woman, 87

A CARER who stole thousands of pounds from an elderly woman he was supposed to be looking after acted out of “pure greed and selfishness”, police have said.
ll
l

Felix Bradley, who worked as a carer for elderly people, carrying out home visits to provide home support and help with cleaning, basic cooking and hygiene, pleaded guilty to stealing almost £5,000 from his 87-year-old disabled victim.

The investigating officer, Pc Ray Milligan, of North Yorkshire Police, said 22-year-old Bradley, of Thoresby Road, York, had “blatantly” abused his position of trust in a role that saw him care for some of the most vulnerable people in society.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Investigations revealed that the cash had been withdrawn from cash machines using the victim’s bank card.

However, officers discovered that the 87-year-old victim, who lives in York, was unable to use cash machines because of a disability.

Police were alerted on January 1 this year by the daughter of Bradley’s victim who contacted officers when she discovered a number of cash withdrawals from her mother’s account.

The withdrawals from the victim’s account were made over a two-month period and amounted to £4,900.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Bradley was arrested in February this year and following a detailed investigation by North Yorkshire Police, he was later charged with fraud by false representation.

He was remanded in custody after two bail applications were refused.

He originally denied two charges, but pleaded guilty at the start of his trial at York Crown Court. He has been remanded in 
custody to be sentenced on September 2.

Officers said hoped the case sent a “clear message” that those who target vulnerable people would be punished.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

PC Milligan said: “This man was placed in a position of trust to take care of the most vulnerable people in society and he went on to blatantly abuse that trust out of pure greed and selfishness.

“I would like to thank the victim’s daughter and the care providers for their help and assistance during the investigation which helped provide the evidence needed to bring Bradley to justice.

“I hope this case sends a clear message to anyone else who believes they can take advantage of vulnerable people, it will not be tolerated in a civilised society.

“We will catch you and do everything in our power to ensure you are brought to justice and feel the full force of the law.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Earlier this year, the Yorkshire Post revealed that criminal gangs were turning their attention to the rising number of pensioners who are suffering from dementia in a callous attempt to avoid detection owing to their victims’ failing memories.

Victims in Yorkshire are believed to have paid up to £250,000 to offenders for repairs to roofs and driveways and for gardening.

They have been duped out of money for shoddy repairs or for work which has not even been carried out, with evidence of fraudsters travelling from as far away as the South West and the Midlands to target properties in Yorkshire.

North Yorkshire County Council’s trading standards officers were known to have been involved in five separate major inquiries where victims suffering from mental illness had been targeted by the gangs.