Carer stole £20k from vulnerable client using bogus credit cards

A carer who opened credit card and catalogue accounts in the name of her "particularly" vulnerable client stole £20,000, a court heard.

Petula Hatzer, 55, of Mortlake Drive, Manchester admitted 10 counts of fraud and was jailed for 60 weeks at Manchester Crown Court, Crown Square.

Greater Manchester Police said she cared for her victim for 17 years.

Det Con Emma Maders said Hatzer took advantage of her client in a "very upsetting and devastating crime".

She added: "Hatzer was in a position of trust where she was expected to safeguard and act in the best interests of the victim and instead of doing this, for a number of years, she was using her identity to open various accounts using the personal details and identity of the victim for her own financial gain.

The officer said Hatzer, who was sentenced on Thursday, also accessed an existing bank account containing the victim's money, which was intended to be used solely for the victim's daily needs, such as food and clothing, and by doing so Hatzer deprived the victim of this money and took it for herself.

"The victim was dependent on Hatzer and she was trusted to provide a good standard of care. When the crimes were identified, the family were left devastated by her deceit, as Hatzer was someone they treated as part of the family.

"Due to the emotional trauma suffered by the family, we are continuing to provide the relevant support to them."

GMP said another carer reported suspicions that Hatzer was defrauding her victim who needed 24/7 care.

A police spokesman said detectives found the carer opened 10 accounts in the victim's name.

He added: "Due to the victim having no capacity, and never having capacity, she has never been able to open any kind of credit account. Therefore, this had to have been done by another person."

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