A cleaner entrusted to tidy up the home of a vulnerable elderly woman has instead cleaned out her cash, stealing over $12,000 worth of cheques. Kerryn Daniels, 52, also nicked off with another aged care pensioner’s rings, later hocking them at a pawn shop. Daniels pleaded guilty to 11 theft and deception-related charges at Frankston Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday. The court heard Daniels, now of Frankston, had been employed by Bayside Council to clean the homes of elderly residents. In late 2017 she began taking cheques from the home of a Brighton woman, forging her signature and depositing them into a bank account. Days after each theft she would withdraw the money in full. The victim discovered the cheques were missing in April last year, and contacted police and the Westpac bank. When a few days later Daniels tried to deposit a stolen cheque for $1502, it was declined. Police later arrested her and she confessed her crimes. In total she had stolen $12,442 from the woman, who was later reimbursed by the bank. She had also ripped off a Brighton East woman by stealing several of her rings and selling them to a Parkdale pawn shop. The value of the jewellery was not known. In court Daniels’ defence lawyer said her client had severe financial stresses due to no ability to work because of a longstanding hip injury. She said her client was in a violent relationship at the time and that relationship had now ended. Daniels was very remorseful, writing apology letters to the women and the court, the lawyer said. Magistrate Stephen Lee said the thefts were serious offending against elderly and vulnerable victims. But Mr Lee said the large amount of compensation being sought, as well as Daniels’ very obvious shame, were factors to consider in imposing her penalty. “It was a desperate act by you in desperate times in a desperate home environment,” Mr Lee said. “I accept you have deep remorse, regret and embarrassment.” Daniels was placed on a two-year good behaviour bond and must repay $12,422 to Westpac. She must also continue seeing her psychologist for mental health treatment. No conviction was recorded.
