A care manager took money meant to be used towards a trip to a theme park for vulnerable residents and spent it on himself.
Stephen Gains was in charge of paying bills for residents in a care complex - but stole that money and used it for his own gain. Liverpool Magistrates’ Court heard this morning that the 43 year old took money meant for bills and spent it on a laptop and that money intended for a trip to Alton Towers also disappeared into his pocket.
He sobbed in court this morning as he admitted being “disgusted at himself” for taking money residents’ families had trusted him to use for the care of their loved ones.
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Andrew Page, prosecuting, said Gains, from Rainhill was a care manager at Lichfield Close in Netherton last year. Designed as a complex of bungalows, the facility is aimed at allowing vulnerable residents to live independent lives while still having access to round the clock care.
Mr Page’s role there involved overseeing other staff members and managing financial issues for the three residents, such as gas and electricity bills. However, senior managers at Nugent Care, the company which runs Lichfield Close, became concerned after receiving reports that key bills had not been paid. Investigations led them to discover other missing payments, with some taken in chunks of hundreds of pounds.
Gains later told staff he had “borrowed” money and would pay it back. He said the Alton Towers trip had been delayed due to Covid and he had then taken money to address debts he had but vowed he would return it. He admitted some of the money was stolen to pay for a laptop. Mr Page said Gains used illegible accounting to cover up his tracks. Managers from Nugent told prosecutors they believed up to £3,500 may have been stolen but they could only prove a total of £1,450 was taken by Gains.
He pleaded guilty to theft by employee earlier this year and appeared for sentencing this morning.
Gains, who represented himself at today’s proceedings and cried in the dock, told probation officers he got into debt after being assaulted at his last job and being forced to take an unpaid break from work. Asked about his behaviour, he said: “I am just so disgusted at myself.”
Deputy District Judge Hussain told Gains his “deliberate and mean” actions had caused stress and anxiety for residents, their families and staff members. He told Gains: “Your colleagues are no doubt honest and hardworking and what you did will clearly affect them.”
Gains, of Sandhurst Road, was handed a six month jail term, suspended for 12 months. He must also pay compensation and undertake unpaid work and a series of rehabilitation requirements.
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