THE former manager of a nursing home stole money from a dying dementia-suffering resident to pay for theatre tickets and a holiday.

Claire Williams 45, of Wallcroft, Willaston, Neston, ultimately stole more than £2,000 from 85-year-old Mary Cooper, who had come to the Neston care home she managed in 2019.

Even after Miss Cooper was admitted to the Countess of Chester Hospital, Williams used her debit card to pay for tickets to the We Will Rock You musical and a Haven Holiday.

Miss Cooper sadly passed away in December 2019, and with no next of kin, Williams may have escaped justice.

But a friend of Miss Cooper had persistently enquired about missing cash belonging to Miss Cooper, and with the help of solicitors and other members of staff at the nursing home who investigated the suspicious activity, Williams was arrested.

At Chester Crown Court on Wednesday, July 22, Williams was jailed for eight months after pleading guilty to two thefts of theft by employee.

The former manager of the Chapel House Dementia Resource Community in Puddington had also taken money from the nursing home – £50 from a £600 gift to the nursing home left by a grateful resident's relative – and had pawned a company laptop.

Prosecuting, Chris Hopkins said Miss Cooper had arrived at Chapel House for long-term care from the Countess of Chester Hospital.

Due to her vulnerability, her valuables and money – including £880 in cash – were kept somewhere safe.

Miss Cooper's friend, looking out for the resident, made enquiries about the valuables but was told they would not be released to her.

With the help of solicitors, access to the valuables was agreed on November 4, 2019, but the cash was missing.

The following month, Williams was asked to hand over the missing cash, but she replied she could not do that as the owners of the nursing home were on holiday, although that was not the case.

Miss Cooper passed away and there was suspicious banking activity on her account.

It was revealed that Williams had not only taken the £880 cash, but had used Miss Cooper's debit card to rack up an estimated £1,496 in purchases, including theatre and holiday caravan tickets.

Williams was suspended from her position as manager of the nursing home and she resigned.

It was revealed she had stolen £50 cash and had pawned a company laptop which was estimated to be worth £400.

Williams was of previous good character, the court heard.

An impact statement on behalf of the nursing home said Williams's offending had had a "devastating impact on the business"

It felt as though Williams had "deliberately targeted one of the most vulnerable residents with no next of kin".

Extra time had been put in by other staff at the nursing home to assist with the investigation and the emotional impact on the business had been significant.

Defending, Patrick Williamson said Williams head pleaded guilty at the first opportunity to the charges.

At the time, she was trying to "maintain appearances of normality" and "keep up with the Joneses" following a "traumatic breakdown of a previous relationship", when she had not taken even rudimentary financial advice and was struggling in debt.

Her offending was "out of character" and she had taken several steps to address her issues since the offences came to light.

She had been working with the Department of Work and Pensions in a telephone service, calling vulnerable people to make them aware of Government assistance during the coronavirus crisis.

Williams had also devoted time to assisting young people caught up in 'county lines' drug offending in their rehabilitation.

She had saved up over £1,800 and was looking to repay the money she had stolen, wishing to make amends.

Judge Simon Berkson said Williams had a "very trusted position in the care home", and the fact Miss Cooper had valuables was known only to her and Miss Cooper's friend.

"The impact of your behaviour has had a significant impact," he said, adding that only immediate custody was appropriate.

  • Chapel House Nursing Home is a specialist dementia care nursing home, rated as ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission.

Cathrina Moore, managing partner of Chapel House Care, said: “As soon as we became aware of what had occurred, we conducted an internal investigation into the conduct of the manager which resulted in her immediate suspension and subsequent resignation whilst under investigation.

“We have worked closely with the CQC, Cheshire West Adult Safeguarding Board and Cheshire Police in this matter.

“We are proud to deliver the highest standards of care to our residents, something we have being doing for over 30 years.

“We are pleased to have since found a new, highly regarded and experienced manager to join our passionate and dedicated team.”