Carer jailed after stealing £26k from patients

A carer who stole more than £26,000 from two adults with learning difficulties has been jailed.

Nottinghamshire Police said Michelle Flintoff, 50, was the team leader of a home in Newark, providing round-the-clock care to the two adults and was also responsible for managing their finances.

Between 2020 and 2025, she fraudulently took £26,299 from the three accounts for her own benefit, and made a number of purchases through Amazon and high street retailers, the force said.

On Friday Flintoff, of Clarks Lane, Newark, was sentenced to two years and six months in prison, after pleading guilty to three counts of fraud by abuse of position.

Police said Flintoff was caught during a financial audit, carried out by the non-profit care provider, which discovered irregularities in the accounts of her patients.

She was suspended and later resigned while a police investigation was carried out.

After her offending came to light, Flintoff tearfully called a senior colleague and said "I've ruined my life, I've ruined everything", the force said.

In a statement following her sentencing, police staff investigator Michael Woods said: "Flintoff was placed in a position of significant trust to care for and support these residents, but instead chose to exploit them for her own financial gain.

"This was a calculated and deeply dishonest abuse of trust that had a profound impact on the victims, their families and her colleagues.

"The sentence handed down reflects the seriousness of her offending and sends a clear message that anyone who abuses a position of responsibility for personal gain will be held accountable.

"As this case demonstrates, such crimes will be thoroughly investigated and offenders can expect to face the consequences of their actions."

A proceeds of crime hearing has been scheduled for next February.

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