A Penyrheol woman who stole £31,000 from her disabled sister has walked free from court after being given a suspended sentence.
Angela Wiltshire, 49, of Ty Isaf, spent the money on home improvements, a car and also gave cash to her children, Cardiff Crown Court was told.
Wiltshire had denied two charges of theft and one of transferring criminal property but was found guilty by a jury.
On Friday October 4, Judge William Gaskell sentenced her to a 12-months in custody, suspended for two years, and ordered her to carry out 300 hours of unpaid work and pay £10,000 court costs.
He warned her that she had been very close to a custodial sentence but that he took into account an offer to repay all of the money.
The healthworker had denied stealing £20,700 from sister Paula Davies’ Independent Living Fund and £11,200 in income support. The court was told that Paula, who has been disabled since she was six-months-old, was completely unaware of the theft.
Concerns were first raised by Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Protection of Vulnerable Adults team.
Judge Gaskell said the care given to Paula had “not been of the highest standard” but that the family had provided “some care”. She now lives in a residential home where she has “prospered”.
He told Wiltshire: “You were repeatedly told to keep records of money you were spending which belonged to somebody else.
“You didn’t keep them because you knew that if you did, the use of that money by yourself for you and your family would become apparent.
“The money was paid to you on her behalf, you were effectively a trustee and we can see that over a period of time it was withdrawn.
“It seems perfectly clear to me what happened. You utilised that money as money for your family.
“She was part of that family but you used it to get things you wanted for yourself, your house and your children.
“Sadly your sister is a woman who suffers devastating physical and learning difficulties . She could scarcely be more vulnerable.”
Wiltshire’s father had left his house in Ty Isaf for her to move in and care for her sister. The judge said that from legal papers it seemed that 40% of the house was paid by Paula’s money. He added that it was not for the court to decide if he had been acting dishonestly or through ignorance.
Defence barrister Matthew Roberts described Wiltshire as hard-working and of previous good character who had to support her whole family with her job as a midwife assistant.
The court was told the family had already raised £16,000 to repay Paula and that the Ty Isaf house was on the market. The remaining £15,000 will be paid back through the proceeds of the sale as well as £10,000 in prosecution costs.
Speaking after the case, a spokesman for Caerphilly County Borough Council said: “The council works hard to protect some of the most vulnerable people in our society from harm and neglect. The Protection of Vulnerable Adults (POVA) team, learning disability team and finance department worked jointly with colleagues from other agencies to take swift action to protect this particular resident.
“We want to send a clear message to the wider community that that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated. If anyone has any concerns about vulnerable adults they can call 0808 1002500.”