Last Updated: November 26, 2024
Gemine Barrett (Image: South Wales Police)
A former care worker has been sentenced to prison after stealing £2,900 from an elderly paraplegic client and attempting to cover up her crimes with elaborate lies.
Gemine Barrett, 47, who ran a company called Care For You, deceived her vulnerable client by offering to handle payments for building work but instead pocketed the money for herself.
When confronted about the missing funds, Barrett fabricated having cancer and falsely claimed her partner was a chief inspector with South Wales Police, in what the judge called an attempt to intimidate others from reporting the theft.
The victim’s daughter shared the profound impact of Barrett’s actions: “The ordeal had a massive impact on my mother and on the decline in her health. She felt duped and upset that she did not see it coming.”
Judge Paul Thomas KC condemned Barrett’s behaviour, stating: “You are a thoroughly dishonest woman.” The court heard this wasn’t Barrett’s first offence, as she had previously stolen £1,000 from another elderly client to purchase dance equipment.
Despite claims of remorse, which the judge took “with a shovelful of salt,” Barrett was sentenced to 10 months in prison at Swansea Crown Court.
