Suspended jail for carer who stole £1,200 sentenced

A debt-ridden Leeds woman who stole money from the account of a vulnerable client while employed as a community support worker in Bradford has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Patricia Mandondo, 52, was said to be deeply ashamed of stealing 1,200 from the account of a man with learning difficulties.

Mandondo, of Lilac Court, Killingbeck, Leeds, was suspended from her job for an unrelated matter, but Bradford Crown Court heard yesterday that in her absence it was discovered that an unauthorised withdrawal had been made from a bank account in September 2008.

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Mandondo, who had no previous convictions, admitted theft and yesterday Recorder David Bradshaw described the offence as despicable.

"I am told you're ashamed of being here, I hope that's right," he told Mandondo.

"You committed a despicable offence taking advantage of someone who is disadvantaged himself and relied upon you not only to help him but to look after his finances and not to do what you did, steal from him a substantial sum of money.

"I am told that you are in dire financial circumstances still, so the prospects of repaying any of this money are non-existent so I can't make any order for compensation or costs."

Mandondo was sentenced to six months in prison suspended for two years.

She will also have to perform 100 hours of unpaid work.

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