A children's care home manager helped himself to cash from the account of an "incredibly vulnerable" teen with various complex needs. Craig Smart was employed by a company called Total Care Matters at a Nottingham home for children with complex needs, Nottingham Magistrates' Court heard.
Bank cards for the children were kept in a pin-protected safe. But Smart stole the card belonging to a 17 year old and used it.
The 35 year old of Chapel Lane, Farnsfield, withdrew cash from machines and paid for items in shops, "essentially using it as his own," said Bethany Leigh, prosecuting, on Thursday (September 29).
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The fraud was discovered when the victim received a statement from Lloyds bank. He expected the balance to stand at £3,000 after saving up for the day he turned 18. The cash came from benefits - but he "panicked" when there was just £17 left.
The young man raised this with a manager who investigated the account. Smart was responsible for the fraud and pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of position when he attended court on Thursday (September 29).
The fraud happened between November 13, 2021, to March 19, 2022, when he stole £1,750 of the teenager's cash. He claimed he took "about £1,000" and it was "£100 here and there".
"He said he was confronted by members of staff," added Miss Leigh. "He said he took the money for 'a crash course in driving lessons with a specialist instructor'".
But this was a lie, exposed in a text message to a colleague, where Smart had admitted he was the one who took the cash and intended to "pay it back". A statement from the victim revealed he felt so "distraught and confused" when he saw his balance.
The money was refunded by his bank but it made him "upset" that someone had taken it. He was saving for his future and "someone took it away from him".
Smart had two driving matters on his record but nothing else of relevance, the court heard. Solicitor Helen Rooks represented Smart in court.
She stressed to magaistrates her client had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and he must be given credit for that and "he is truly remorseful for this". "It is clear he has ruined his chance in supporting young people in his care," she added. Smart had struggled with depression and was prescribed an antidepressant, the court heard of his background.
But he had been "self-medicating through alcohol, some cocaine use, and gambling in a problematic way," said Miss Rooks. "He lost his driving licence last year and that seemed to trigger a decline in his mental health about that time".
Smart had taken the bank card from the office and used it to withdraw cash. "Fortunately this money has been refunded, so that clearly is a very good thing," said Miss Rooks.
Smart, who lives with his parents, now works as a barman and is earning £250-a-week and is in a position to pay compensation. Magistrates decided on a 12-month community order for Smart, unpaid work for 200 hours, and a £200 compensation order.
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