A conwoman who posed as a CARER to trick her way into an elderly woman’s home has been spared jail – to stop her mixing with “sophisticated” criminals in prison.
Samantha Wade, 34, pretended to be a care worker to dupe her way into the 80-year-old victim’s property where she stole £80 from her purse.
Magistrates heard the junkie turned up at the property in Stourport, Worcs., and claimed to be the OAP’s new carer.
But once inside she took £40 for “shopping” but said it wasn’t enough and took another £40 from the woman, who relied on care four times a day.
When the real carer arrived to prepare the woman’s breakfast on July 23, police were called and Wade was identified from a neighbour’s CCTV.
Wade, of Stourport, was found guilty of burglary and was handed a 15-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, at Worcester Crown Court on Friday (3/11).
She was ordered complete 20 days of a rehabilitation activity requirement and a six-month drug rehabilitation requirement.
She must also pay a £140 victim surcharge and £80 compensation.
Recorder Gareth Evans QC said: “You targeted this old lady and you knew that she was awaiting the presence of one of her carers.
“You impersonated that carer and went in with the sole purpose of ripping her off.
“You took £80 out of her bag.
“You wanted her credit card but she had the good sense not to give it to you and away you went.”
Prosecutor Christopher Lester described the victim as a “vulnerable woman” who lived alone, relying on carers to assist her four times day.
Wade was identified by a police officer from a neighbour’s CCTV before being picked out by the victim at an identity parade.
When arrested, Wade refused to submit a sample of saliva for drug testing and denied the burglary.
Mr Lester said: “There are no burglaries in her history but there is much dishonesty of one form or another.
“There was some form of targeting or planning.
“She knew one of the names of the carers and had patter ready to be able to get inside, claiming she was a carer as well.
“This was the defendant masquerading as someone she would have been expecting.”
Mr Lester said the burglary involved “greater harm” and “high culpability”, describing the victim as “self-evidently vulnerable”.
Wade claimed she had been under pressure from her now ex-partner to find money for drugs.
Simon Rippon, defending, said society would be better served by Wade receiving rehabilitation in the community for her long-standing drug use.
He also argued that, if jailed, Wade would be “mixing with more sophisticated offenders”.
