A carer who stole thousands of pounds from a 93-year-old blind woman has been spared an immediate prison sentence. Joanne Morris, 48, was entrusted with the welfare of Edith Fairclough, who lived alone and had no close family support. Instead, Morris used the pensioner's money to buy games consoles, gamble, and make cash withdrawals totalling around £8,000.
Abuse of Trust
Liverpool Crown Court heard on Thursday that Ms Fairclough, who has since died, began using care company Rainbow in September 2022. She was in poor health, hard of hearing, registered blind, and rarely left home except for hospital appointments. Morris, of Upland Road in Thatto Heath, St Helens, became her primary carer, assisting with bathing, cooking, and dressing, but had no responsibility for finances.
Prosecutor Martyn Walsh said withdrawals from Ms Fairclough's accounts increased in frequency and value from around February 2023. Morris purchased a PlayStation, Xbox, groceries, and birth certificates using the victim's funds, and engaged in online gambling. After Ms Fairclough suffered a fall in June 2023 and spent five weeks in hospital, Morris insisted on returning to care for her and continued the thefts even after the bank replaced the card due to suspicious activity.
Suspension and Investigation
Morris was suspended in September 2023 for falsifying care log times, and the case was reported to police in November. She initially claimed a fridge freezer purchase was genuine and an Iceland transaction was an error, but later admitted stealing about £8,000.
Defence and Sentencing
Defence lawyer Nicholas Clarke said Morris, of previous good character, had personal difficulties including a former partner and mental health issues, which have largely resolved. He said her remorse was genuine and she remains the primary carer for her 18-year-old son.
Morris pleaded guilty to one count of fraud by abuse of position. Recorder Carwyn Cox sentenced her to 11 months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, with 150 hours unpaid work, a rehabilitation activity requirement of up to 10 days, and a 12-month mental health treatment requirement.
The judge told Morris: "She was in her 90s, lived alone, was blind, hard of hearing and did not leave her house. You took £8,000 from this vulnerable lady. You abused your position of trust and responsibility. You did deliberately target your victim based on her vulnerability."
He added that Ms Fairclough's death meant she likely felt anger and frustration at having her finances interfered with at the end of her life. However, he noted Morris's lack of previous convictions, remorse, and role as a primary carer for her son, and concluded there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation.
