Support worker jailed for defrauding vulnerable victims

A man who exploited his position as a care worker to steal tens of thousands of pounds from vulnerable people he was supposed to protect has been sent to prison.

Ian Jones, 61, of Bedford Street, Rhyl, used his role as a Learning Disability Support Worker to access the personal details of seven victims – some of whom had severe disabilities, including a limited ability to speak – and fraudulently obtained credit in their names.

Over a seven-year period, Jones racked up nearly £46,000 in debt against his victims by applying for credit cards and financing expensive items for himself, including jewellery, bedroom furniture, a new kitchen with appliances, and the installation of a new boiler at his own home.

His offending came to light at the end of 2020 when one of his victims received a letter from a credit management company stating they owed almost £370 – with the account listed to Jones’ home address.

A warrant was carried out at his property, where officers seized a number of financial documents and credit cards in names other than his own, along with more than £9,000 in cash.

Jones admitted seven counts of fraud by false representation at Mold Magistrates’ Court last month and was sentenced at Mold Crown Court on Thursday, 12 February to two years in prison.

Detective Sergeant Rachael Edwards of the North Wales Police Economic Crime Unit said: “We welcome today’s sentence which concludes a complex investigation.

“Fraud impacts people’s lives across all walks of life and as a department, we have safeguarding processes in place to assist in identifying and protecting the most vulnerable victims.

“Should you have any concerns that an individual is being financially abused, we would always encourage you to contact the police, Report Fraud or Crimestoppers as this will assist us to disrupt this type of criminality.”