Redland Bay aged care worker dons disguise to steal from 91-year-old client with advanced dementia
A magistrate has condemned the “cold and calculating” theft of a dementia sufferer’s cash at the hands of his trusted carer who disguised herself to confuse the vulnerable man.
Redlands Coast
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An aged care worker who “preyed” on a 91-year-old man with advanced dementia showed her client “callous disregard” when she dressed in a wig and sunglasses to steal his money and his late wife’s ring while he was present at his home, a court has heard.
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Appearing at the Cleveland Magistrates Court yesterday, Natasha Brooke Gibson, 32, pleaded guilty to enter dwelling to commit indictable offence, possess property suspected of having been used in connection with the commission of a drug offence and possessing dangerous drugs.
The court heard Redland Bay woman Gibson donned a blonde wig and large sunglasses at 6.53am on May 21 in an attempt to confuse her client, for whom she had cared for a year, when she entered his property with the use of an electronic code known only to family and one other carer who worked at the Capalaba private residence.
Once there she stole $850 in cash and the man’s late wife’s 22 carat gold ring before exiting and walking to her car which she had parked some 50 metres away.
The court was told the defendant was swiftly recognised by her victim’s daughter who reviewed CCTV footage after the theft was uncovered.
On May 23, the court heard, police found the wig, sunglasses, latex gloves and clothes matching those Gibson wore on the day of the offence at her residence.
Officers also found 12 grams of cannabis, clip seal bags and a grinder for drugs at her property.
A police prosecutor said the defendant at first denied all knowledge of the theft, then wrote a letter to prosecutors with a different explanation and would again change her story on May 26 when she was interviewed.
The court heard during the interview the defendant claimed she had gone to say goodbye to her client after taking time off and had borrowed the money from him.
The prosecution said the woman had taken advantage of a particularly vulnerable man and had caused his family great distress after betraying their trust.
Defence solicitor Bruce Johnston said his client, who had returned the ring after initially taking it, had taken time off work after suffering from an unrelated alleged attack involving another client.
Mr Johnston further explained Gibson had been taking “substances” while suffering PTSD and anxiety and “had not been thinking straight” when she stole from the man.
However, magistrate Deborah Vasta cast doubt on the unrelated alleged attack which the woman had not reported to her employer or the police.
Magistrate Vasta, having reviewed a letter written to the family affected, said the defendant had minimised her offending by describing her behaviour as “unintentional” and “having crossed a boundary” when it was in fact “cold and calculating”.
“There was nothing unintentional about what you did,” the magistrate said.
“You preyed upon a 91-year-old dementia patient.
“I am sure you hoped he would not have recognised you in your disguise, which could have been distressing for him.
“It is quite sickening the callous disregard you have shown this man.”
Gibson, who had no previous criminal history, was sentenced to 18 months’ probation and ordered to complete 70 hours of community service.
No conviction was recorded.