Carer who stole £20,000 and left disabled woman without heating spent thousands on clothes

A carer who stole more than £20,000 from a disabled woman she was caring for, left her with no heating while spending thousands on clothes.

Petula Hatzer, 55, was employed by Alison Doyle's family for 17 years to look after Alison who has cerebral palsy, epilepsy and dystonia. She is non-verbal and requires 24-hour live-in carers.

Hatzer was seen as a family friend and even went to the funeral of Alison's father. She was trusted to be in a managerial position and manage her finances. She was even given a bank card under the name of Lilian Doyle, Alison's mother's name.

The offences were investigated when other carers for Ms Doyle became concerned about deliveries that were clearly not for her, Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court heard.

The police discovered Hatzer had been spending her money on clothes and items from websites including Next, Amazon and Very.

Prosecutors believe she stole an estimated £20,000, creating credit accounts to nine different stores, including Curvissa and Freemans.

Hatzer, of Newton Heath, Manchester, pleaded guilty to 10 counts of fraud by false representation; and one count of fraud by abuse of position. She has been jailed for under a year and two months.

John Richardson, prosecuting, said Ms Doyle had lived with her parents for 22 years before moving into her own house with full-time carers.

She was entitled to payments from the council, which were initially managed by her mum Lilian and her sister.

Mr Richardson said: “The other carers became concerned about the running of the finances and items that were being delivered that were clearly not for Alison, and matters were brought to the police.

“The defendant admitted making nine different accounts under the name of Alison Doyle for a number of organisations, including Next, to the amount of £4,500.

"She also pleaded guilty to a similar offence in respect of the Very group, to the amount of £2,500.

“During this time the defendant was in control of the funds and on many occasions would ask Lilian Doyle for more money due to insufficient funds,” the prosecutor added.

Hatzer withdrew money from cash machines, putting it into her own bank account. She had made many payments to Amazon for items which were not for Ms Doyle.Sharron Clark, Ms Doyle's sister, read a victim impact statement in court. She said: “We have all been deeply affected by what has happened, but especially my mum and Alison.

"My mum had seen Petula as her best friend and trusted her with her life, but because of what she has done, my mum is too frightened to even be anywhere near her.

“Petula, known as Pet to us, became the manager of the team, and her long service became an important part of Alison’s life.

"Pet was held in high regard so much that our mother regarded her as another daughter, and the rest of us as a member of the family. Alison also adored her.

“For a long time before Pet became manager, my mum and I took charge of a lot of things but as my mum aged and I became unwell, having to have heart surgery, we both took a step back and felt comfortable with Pet taking control of things.

"Unbeknown to us she would use her new managerial position to financially abuse such a vulnerable person and take advantage of our trust for her. Her actions have destroyed our faith in humanity.

"We still cannot understand how she could use a vulnerable person, such as our Alison, to make a financial gain from her and a family that loved her unconditionally.

"She even attended our father’s funeral, he knew and trusted Pet and would be so shocked if he was alive, having fought so hard to get Alison her independence with the security to live her life with trusted people close to her.

“The person we trusted most manipulated and lied to us. Alison’s home, equipment and clothes were not to the standard we expected.

"The heating was not used, and Alison and the carers had to wear additional clothes and cover Alison with blankets to keep her warm. This is on the basis that Pet told them the heating was not included in the budget.

“As a family we have been left severely traumatised by what has happened.”

Neil Ronan, defending Hatzer, who has no previous convictions, said was in a controlling relationship and racked up debt which led to her declaring partial bankruptcy.

Mr Ronan told the court his client's grandchild, born with genetic abnormalities, has been given only a year to live.

He said: “She is distressed and absolutely beside herself at what she has done. She has lived beyond her means. She acknowledges the harm and understands the harm she has caused.

“If she is sent to prison, there is a high likelihood he will not make it to the end of her sentence.”

Jailing her, Recorder Michael Armstrong said: “This has had a profound and long lasting effect on the family who only wanted the best for their daughter and their sister.

"These offences do have tragic consequences causing grief to two families. This was a horrendous breach of trust.

"You were employed to protect and care for her and instead you exploited her position for your own gain.”

Hatzer, of Mortlake Drive, was jailed for 60 weeks, of which she will serve half in prison before being released on licence. She was made the subject of a restraining order banning her from contacting Ms Doyle or her family for five years.