Pensioner died after being robbed by care worker
Ally McGilvray • Published 15 Nov 2011 09:30
3 Comments
THE family of a pensioner who died just days after being robbed by her care worker reacted furiously this week after the heartless thief was allowed to walk free from court.
Twenty-one-year-old Joanne Pringle, pictured, was caught stealing £20 from the 93-year-old woman at Cornmill Court sheltered housing complex in St John Street, Galashiels, on June 28.
She also stole £10 from another resident, aged 91, on the same day.
Pringle, of Balmoral Road, Galashiels, admitted the thefts at the Justice of the Peace Court in Selkirk and was ordered to make a personal appearance on Thursday.
She was also charged with stealing £20 from another resident at Cornmill Court two days earlier but her not guilty plea in relation to that charge was accepted.
Pringle's solicitor, Iain Burke, claimed his client was being threatened for money by an unnamed individual. But he insisted she was ashamed and horrified by her actions.
Mr Burke said: "She accepts it was a very mean thing for her to do." But he added: "It has ended what was a promising career."
Pringle worked for local firm Independent Living Services, which cares for some of the region's most vulnerable residents. However, the company confirmed she is no longer employed by them.
The sacked care worker was caught after staff at Cornmill Court grew suspicious following a number of thefts at the sheltered housing complex and marked cash in some of the rooms with an invisible marker pen.
Justice of the Peace Andrew Bramhall said Pringle had committed a serious breach of trust. However, he noted she had written a letter of apology to the court and admonished her - provoking fury among her victims families in the public benches.
One said: "Justice? Where's the justice in that? A woman died three days after she did that."
Passing sentence, the JP warned Pringle: "I hope you realise the extent of what you have done."
This article appeared in Border Telegraph 15 Nov 11
Have your say. Post a comment on this article.
-
hazelkaye
224 posts
Nov 16, 19:51
Report comment -
Patricia
Unregistered User
Nov 20, 12:34
Report comment -
runsinthefamily
Unregistered User
Dec 14, 06:58
Report comment
Yes 
No Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our News archives.
