A woman expressed deep regret for her actions towards a dementia patient who saw her as a trusted individual. Amelia Doran admitted to using the elderly lady’s bank card to withdraw substantial amounts of money over a period of approximately six months. Upon being confronted by a colleague, she confessed to taking advantage of the vulnerable victim, stating she needed the money to settle a bill.
This incident marked the second time the elderly woman was subjected to such a callous act, having been previously targeted by others while hospitalized. The matter came to light when the 86-year-old victim, in a distressed state, reported the theft at the residential care home in Rainhill, Merseyside.
During the investigation led by the home’s administrator, it was discovered that withdrawals were made from the victim’s account at a nearby Co-Op store using her debit card. Subsequent enquiries by Merseyside Police revealed that Doran had committed multiple similar thefts against the same victim, amounting to approximately £3,600 dating back to December 2024.
In a heart-wrenching statement to the court, the pensioner expressed feelings of vulnerability and betrayal, highlighting the impact of the incident on her trust and financial security. Doran, who admitted to the fraud charge, was remorseful and acknowledged the breach of trust placed in her as a caregiver.
The defendant’s defense attorney cited her personal struggles, including the recent loss of her parents and issues with mental health, particularly anxiety and depression, which led to her criminal actions. Despite being handed an eight-month suspended sentence, Doran was mandated to undergo alcohol treatment and rehabilitation as part of her sentence. Additionally, a five-year restraining order was imposed on her by Judge Stuart Driver KC, who emphasized the severity of the offense given the victim’s vulnerability.