A care assistant who stole from an 88-year-old man has been fined £600.
Gail Scott pocketed the cash after spiralling into debt, Perth Sheriff Court was told. The 18-year-old targeted the pensioner while putting him to bed in a residential care home in Perth.
Depute fiscal Rebecca Kynaston said: “It would appear that the man had money in his wallet.
“He was put to bed and put his wallet in his trouser pocket. The trousers were then hung on a chair in his room by a member of staff.
“On getting up the next morning and getting dressed, he realised the money was missing. Inquiries were carried out and it became clear that the accused was responsible.
“The wallet had fallen out of the pocket when she had put him to bed and she decided to take the money. She’s in £200-300 of debt.
“Asked what she did with the money, she said she’d put it on the gas.”
Scott, of Scott Street, Perth, admitted taking £20 from a room at Viewlands House care home on Viewlands Road, Perth, on February 17.
Solicitor John Adam, defending, said Scott was no longer employed at the care home and now worked as a cleaner.
He said: “She has substantial debts. She is remorseful about her actions.”
Sheriff Lindsay Foulis told her: “You were employed as a care assistant in a residential care home and as a result you were in a position of trust.
“It is of the utmost importance that people who are entrusted to care for these old folk, who may no longer be able to look after themselves independently, respect them and don’t take advantage of persons whose abilities may be diminishedas a result of their advancing years.
“That is the really important issue. I’m not saying the money isn’t important but it’s the fact you took advantage of someone who is in that care home and should be able to trust anyone who is looking after him.”
In addition to fining Scott, he ordered her to pay back the £20 she had stolen and a notification was made to the PVG (Protecting Vulnerable Groups) scheme.