Evelyn Hoy, Chief Executive of The Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland, welcomed the decision taken at Newry Magistrates Court to sentence a domiciliary care worker to 3 months imprisonment for committing theft against an older person.
The office of the Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland was supporting a family through a case involving a domiciliary care worker who committed theft against an older person in their own home which today resulted in a three month custodial sentence being delivered by Newry Magistrates Court.
Commenting on the verdict, Evelyn Hoy, Chief Executive of The Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland, said:
“I was shocked to hear of this case which involved an older and vulnerable person being robbed in their own home by a domiciliary care worker.
“COPNI recognises that lots of older people are supported by carers, who support them with great integrity and respect. This case was a complete abuse of the trust that older people place upon their care workers.
“I welcome that the seriousness of such a crime was acknowledged by the police and justice system and that it has been prosecuted to its fullest possibility. This sentence sends out a strong message that committing crimes against older people will not be tolerated.
“It is crucial that our older people are protected from crime and that when these shameful acts take place, that they receive the justice they deserve.”
