Violeta Hansen: Why disgraced carer stole from terminally ill patients
An “opportunistic” western Sydney carer, who stole tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of jewellery — including sentimental weddings rings and cash — from her terminally ill and disabled patients has been sent to jail.
Blacktown
Don't miss out on the headlines from Blacktown. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A disgraced carer who brazenly stole tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of jewellery and cash from terminally ill and disabled patients has been jailed.
Violeta Hansen, 47, from Blacktown, covered her head with a jacket as she fronted Burwood Local Court on Thursday facing a slew of fraud and stealing charges.
Hansen, who is originally from Philippines, stole jewellery and cash from 11 patients she cared for across Sydney including Drummoyne, Wiley Park, Bexley, Doonside and Kellyville between December 2018 and October 2019.
The mother-of-one sat quietly in court donning a grey long-sleeve top and jeans while supported by her mum.
Hansen had pleaded guilty to 10 counts of stealing from dwelling, three counts of obtaining benefit by deception, one count of goods in custody and another larceny charge.
Eight counts of making a false statement relating to her not disclosing the truth of how she obtained the stolen items which she sold to pawnbrokers was also taken into account.
Her barrister Peter Kondich told the court it was a “tragic” case and said Hansen was “remorseful.”
The court heard she stole several piece of jewellery from diamond rings to wedding bands—many of which held sentimental value to her victims.
She also stole a total of $7,453 in cash after taking a victim’s credit card to withdraw cash over a 10-day period.
Mr Kondich said her motivation to commit the crimes was very different from that of a gambler saying she had racked up a lot of debt but didn’t ask for help.
“This was a matter precipitated under financial distress,” he said.
Instead of jail, he asked for the magistrate to consider an intensive corrections order (ICO) with conditions including house detention, community service and rehabilitation.
Yet police prosecutor Nicole Rochester argued that the crimes were at the “higher end” of seriousness with 11 victims targeted over a 10-month period.
“These occurred in homes of victims where she undertook hygiene and domestic duties,” she told the court.
“The victims were elderly and vulnerable mainly in their 70s (…). They should’ve been safe in their own home, their sanctuary.”
The court heard she had worked as a support worker for multiple agencies under the National Disability Insurance Scheme with “frail, elderly and vulnerable patients.”
During sentencing, magistrate Theo Tsavdaridis slammed Hansen saying her actions were “opportunistic, brazen, and discreditable.”
The court heard the victims suffered from a range of “high end” conditions from multiple sclerosis and terminal cancer to quadriplegia.
Hansen showed no emotion as she was sentenced to an aggregate term of 24 months in jail with a 16-month non-parole period while her mother wept tears.
The former carer was also ordered to pay more than $18,000 total in compensation.
Hansen will be eligible for parole in February 2022.