A HEARTLESS carer who befriended a vulnerable 95-year-old patient and stole almost £30,000 from her accounts has been jailed for 15 months.

Dishonest Tracey Jayne Wilson, from Laverstoke, pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud by abuse of power during a hearing at Winchester Crown Court last month.

The counts relate to a series of events which began in 2012 when Wilson, who previously worked at the Kingfisher Day Centre in Overton, was given power of attorney over the accounts of a 95-year-old woman.

The two had met earlier in Wilson’s career when she had cared for her victim while working under the employment of a private company.

The victim later became unhappy with the company and Wilson offered to continue to care for her under a private agreement.

Wilson became close with her victim, eventually being trusted with the power to protect her patient’s financial interests.

However Wilson instead took the opportunity to defraud her vulnerable victim of more than £29,000, draining the money out over a 15 month period between May 2012 and August 2013.

Wilson’s action have drawn strong criticism from her former employers at the Kingfisher Day Centre.

Trustee chairman Adrian Lewis said: “A former employee of the Kingfisher Day Centre has been convicted of an offence of dishonesty involving someone who had been a client but had left the centre nearly four years ago.

“The Day Centre staff and Trustees feel deeply betrayed by this former colleague whom we had no reason to distrust.”

Mr Lewis added: “The offences occurred after the victim had left the centre.

“The ex-employee was a home carer for the victim before either had any connection with the centre.

“As soon as the allegations became known to us, we reviewed our internal procedures, and we were, and still are, satisfied that they remain robust, and do everything possible to prevent any member of staff or volunteer from being able to prey on anyone in our care. No one else is at risk.

“Fortunately present Day Centre clients have not been affected in any way and the centre continues to offer a first class service to all those in our care.”

Representatives from charity AGE UK have also condemned Wilson’s actions.

Mark Simpson, CEO of AGE UK Mid-Hampshire, said: “Obviously this is a completely callous action on the part of the perpetrator and we utterly condemn this kind of behaviour.

“It is a warning not just to older people but also to their families and their loved ones to be vigilant about these things.

“We recommend that they do not make private arrangements with carers who are not part of a professional set up.

“As part of a professional set up the carer will need a DBS (formally CRB) check, referencing, professional supervision and accountability.

“Without these checks and balances people are putting themselves at risk of being taken advantage of.”