A mother of four who systematically stole more than £25,000 from an elderly couple was caught after a £20 Uber Eats order linked her to the missing money. Lyndsey McGivern, 45, of Nixon Avenue, Ramsgate, pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of position, using the bank card of Derek and Valerie Haynes without authority between April 4, 2024, and January 31, 2025.
Fraud discovered after couple moved into care
Canterbury Crown Court heard that the nine-month fraud involved regular withdrawals of large cash sums and grocery purchases at local shops totalling thousands of pounds. The total identified loss was a few pennies above £25,237. The couple's bank account became overdrawn and direct debits were returned unpaid.
Prosecutor Kieran Brand told the court that Derek and Valerie Haynes were "exceptionally vulnerable" with advanced dementia and, by 2024, had "lost the capacity" to manage their own affairs. They were moved permanently into residential accommodation. McGivern had been involved in their care before the move, presenting herself as an informal carer, living nearby and helping with their shopping and everyday tasks.
Uber Eats order and documents found
Once in residential care, Kent County Council began the process of obtaining deputyship and details of their finances, which led to the discovery of the fraud. Bank statements revealed extensive spending, cash withdrawals and transactions long after the couple had been moved into care. Mr Brand said: "Neither of them could have undertaken the various transactions as they lacked the physical opportunity and mental capacity to do so, and any absence from their care homes would have been recorded."
Police established links between McGivern and the use of the victims' finances, including a £20 purchase from Uber Eats linked to her Uber Eats account. A search of her home uncovered a carrier bag stuffed with personal documents belonging to the victims, including passports, NHS cards, birth and marriage certificates, land registry certificates and property deeds. One of the victims has since died; the other was said to be "completely unaware" of the deception.
Sentencing and court remarks
Her lawyer, Dale Beeson, said she had known the couple for many years and had helped them for approximately seven years. He said: "She is fully aware of the predicament she has put herself in and is extremely remorseful for her actions. This offence was opportunistic at the outset, there was a genuine existing relationship with them, and it went slightly sour."
Judge Simon Taylor said: "I will accept your position that you began your contact with them on a benevolent basis to assist them and then it deteriorated into dishonest, fraudulent, manipulative and, frankly, disgraceful behaviour. These two individuals, who no doubt had worked hard for their money, trusted you and asked for your help, and over a sustained period of time you abused that trust. They were effectively sitting ducks to your crime and unable to do anything about it."
McGivern was sentenced to one year and 10 months' imprisonment, suspended for two years, with 300 hours' unpaid work, up to 25 rehabilitation activity requirements and a mental health treatment requirement.
