A 59-YEAR-OLD Hamilton woman who was caught on camera stealing money from elderly people at Western District Health Service’s aged care facility, The Birches, has been convicted, placed on a good behaviour bond and ordered to repay a sum of money.

Wendy English pleaded guilty at the Hamilton Magistrates’ Court last Wednesday and was represented by lawyer, Ian Pugh.

Police Prosecutor leading senior constable, Greg Kew, told the court that over an extended period, elderly residents, including vision impaired and aged in their 80s and 90s reported to staff they had money going missing.

English was subsequently filmed on multiple occasions by CCTV taking notes of cash from wallets and drawers from people under her care in amounts ranging from $20 to $400.

Ian Pugh said his client had been working in aged care for 10 years and that she felt deeply ashamed of her actions.

She reportedly told police it was tempting when she saw the cash.

Mr Pugh said his client was prepared to accept the court’s punishment and deeply regrets her actions.

Magistrate Ann McGarvie told the accused her actions of stealing from vulnerable elderly people was an incredible breach of trust.

“Not just to your employer but to four vulnerable elderly people,” she said.

“One who was legally blind.

“This offending from September 2022 to February 2023 was only stopped when CCTV was put in by the company and caught you actually stealing from a wallet.

“People in aged care have absolutely no control over most of their life and this is just a very serious breach of trust against people you were entrusted to care for.”

Magistrate McGarvie convicted English and placed her on a good behaviour bond for 12 months and was ordered to repay compensation of $270 to the relevant victims.