Fraudster Patricia Evans to be sentenced for scamming elderly people out of life savings

A fraudster was earning more than a judge most years by preying on vulnerable elderly people and sucking their savings dry, a court has heard.

Patricia Evans leaves Adelaide Magistrates Court after an earlier appearance. AAP Image/Morgan Sette

A “con artist” preyed on vulnerable elderly people by befriending them before sucking their savings dry, a court heard.
Patricia Evans, 73, was earning more than a judge during her elaborate scheme but the money she swindled has disappeared “virtually without a trace”.

Prosecutor Peter Salu told the District Court Evans stole $4.2m over nine years but could only be punished for stealing $280,000 — for which she is charged.

Dr Salu said Evans opportunistically befriended people, before creating problems and seeking cash to fix them – starting with small amounts and building up until their savings were “sucked dry”.

“She had a skill, a knack, a gift for finding those of an age or circumstances who needed help,” he said.

“She preyed on the vulnerable, on the trust that she established, on the friendships that she established to move into a circle of money friends … her lies to do so were complex.

“She was good at it, it was her vocation.”
The court heard Evans had convinced bank tellers to hand over money without the appropriate paperwork, which had cost them their jobs.
Dr Salu said Evans was a con artist, who was earning more than a judge for many of the years, but the money had disappeared virtually without a trace.
Evans, of Para Vista, pleaded guilty to multiple counts of theft.

Brad McCloud, for Evans, told the court his client knew that no words or apologies could compensate the victims for their stress and losses but was “immeasurably sorry” for what she did.

Mr McCloud told the court that while Evans spent some of the money on travelling expenses and $180,000 went to family members, he had no instructions beyond that.
The court heard Evans, who previously worked as a nurse, said she would not apply for parole and instead serve her full sentence.

Mr McCloud said Evans had excellent prospects of rehabilitation.

However, Judge Michael Durrant said he had some difficulty with that submission, questioning whether Evans was genuinely remorseful for her offending.

“The harm she has caused is enormous,” he said.

“She presents herself as this charming, affable, caring person — which is exactly the type of behaviour which allowed her to offend.
“This type of abuse of old people who are vulnerable and worked all their lives to put aside some money so they can care for themselves in their old age … is shocking behaviour and shocking offending.”

Evans will be sentenced in October.