Stephanie White, described by detectives as a ‘wolf in sheep’s clothing,’ scammed her 88-year-old victim into thinking she was helping her pay her bills – but stole her money instead
A retirement home manager who scammed an 88-year-old woman out of more than £20,000 has been jailed.
Stephanie White, described by detectives as a “wolf in sheep’s clothing,” tricked her victim into thinking she was helping her pay her bills – but stole the money instead by writing cheques to herself. The offences came to light after the victim became unwell and was taken to the hospital.
White, 58, was found to have stolen a total of £21,697.79 between April 2022 and October 2023. A series of bank statements and handwritten notes relating to White’s sideline beauty business was found by the victim’s family, where White had directed some of the funds.
The “trusted” retirement home manager denied she had taken the money illegally, claiming it was a gift, loan or a repayment for shopping she had done for the victim. White eventually pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of position before a trial, Lancashire Live reports.
In a statement, the victim’s family said their relative “felt violated, manipulated and deeply betrayed by someone entrusted with her care”. They said White had stolen money which came from years of hard work by the victim and her late husband, intended to provide security and comfort in her retirement.
They added: “As a result of these events, my grandmother now lives with lasting anxiety and fear. This ordeal has also deeply affected our family.
“We entrusted her wellbeing to someone we believed to be capable and compassionate. Instead, she was exploited and left confused and afraid. No elderly person should ever have to endure such treatment.”
White was jailed for two years and ten months.
Det Con Vicky Holt, of the Vulnerable Adults (VA) team, said: “Stephanie White was someone in a position of trust and care but instead of looking after her victim she has taken advantage of a vulnerable and elderly woman and deceived her out of many thousands of pounds of hard-earned money for her own selfish financial gain.”
