Fraudster carer Tracey Maria Massey theft from boyfriend’s elderly mum

A court has heard how an Ipswich mum defrauded an elderly woman while she was living under her roof and dating her son – leaving the woman financially and emotionally devastated.

Fraudster carer Tracey Maria Massey leaving the Ipswich Courthouse on February 10, 2023. Picture: Nicola McNamara

An elderly Ipswich woman was left financially and emotionally devastated when her son’s girlfriend, and her carer, betrayed her trust by robbing her of almost $2000 while living under her roof.

Mother of two, Tracey Maria Massey, 48, attended Ipswich Magistrate’s Court on February 10, 2022, after pleading guilty last November to two counts of fraud.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Marjorie Bridger told the court Massey had defrauded her boyfriend’s 72-year-old mother of $1873.19 while living as her carer in Woodend.

The court heard Massey made 23 incriminating transactions over a four-month period in late 2021 and early 2022.

Magistrate David Shepherd said Massey had possession of the victim’s bank card as a part of her duty as carer, then made a number of cash withdrawals and also linked it to her own Zip Pay account.

He said the victim had confronted Massey on one occasion when she found her bank card had been overdrawn, and said Massey had responded: “Oops I must have used the wrong card”.

“That could be seen as a rather cynical response to what has to be quite a deliberate use and abuse of the complainant victim’s card – and her trust,” Mr Shepherd said.

Fraudster carer Tracey Maria Massey leaving the Ipswich Courthouse on February 10, 2023. Picture: Nicola McNamara

Senior Constable Bridger said Massey had a significant criminal history including a number of stealing and dishonesty offences between 2005 and 2018.

She emphasised Massey was aware of the victim’s “failing health” and said the older woman was “dependent on [Massey] helping her with day-to-day living”.

She further noted the victim was now struggling both financially and emotionally as a result of Massey’s offending.

Defence lawyer Hannah Wordsworth said her client had been struggling financially at the time.

“She had a good relationship with the victim and is very remorseful and regretful on how this has impacted on someone she cares about deeply,” Ms Wordsworth said.

She said Massey no longer lived with the victim, as her relationship with the victim’s son had since broken down.

The court heard Massey was now staying with a friend of a friend and relying on Centrelink for income.

Ms Wordsworth said Massey had reached out to the victim’s daughter since the offending and offered to pay them back, but the offer was refused.

Mr Shepherd said Massey’s offending was a “significant breach of trust” and that it was “simply appalling that someone would take advantage of another person like that – particularly someone they know”.

He sentenced Massey to six months imprisonment, wholly suspended for 18 months.

Convictions were recorded, and Massey was ordered to repay full restitution of $1873.19 to the victim.