A carer who stole thousands of pounds from vulnerable older people wept as she was jailed for seven months yesterday.
Rosemarie Morrison, 36, took cash from eight different victims, some of whom suffered from dementia, and others who had physical disabilities.
She appeared for sentencing at Oban Sheriff Court yesterday after helping herself to a total of £6,380.
Morrison, of Marine Court, Dunbeg, brought £3,000 to the court after being ordered by the sheriff at a previous hearing to pay a victim back.
She had initially appeared and pleaded guilty to taking a total of £4,300 from disabled pensioner Archibald Simpson.
The 71-year-old had entrusted her with his bank card and pin when she worked for the care firm Carr Gomm.
He had asked her to withdraw money for him, which she did, but also withdrew cash for herself, which she repeated over a period of days between June 12 and 20.
The sheriff deferred sentence in order for her to pay Mr Simpson back, after which more thefts came to light.
Morrison also pleaded guilty to stealing £150 from a safe belonging to James Wylie, £450 from Catherine Winton, £40 from Tom Pearson, £50 from Gillian North, £1,000 from Sarah Bellshaw, £330 from Margaret Carmichael and £60 from Claire Rowell.
The thefts took place between 2015 and 2017, with the victims ranging in age from 64 to 87.
Sheriff Patrick Hughes said yesterday: “This matter with Mr Simpson was not an isolated matter. It formed part of a course of conduct that extended over years. There is no alternative but a custodial sentence.”
He ordered that £2,200 be paid in compensation to Mr Simpson, £500 to Sarah Bellshaw, £200 to Catherine Winton and £100 to Margaret Carmichael.
Defence solicitor Kevin McGuinness said Morrison had been attending meetings of Gamblers Anonymous in Greenock since the offences came to light.
He said: “The impact of this has had a severe impact upon Mrs Morrison. Her husband has separated from her. There have been comments made to her. However wrong her actions may be it would appear she has had considerable criticism from people close to her and people with no previous connection to her at all.”
He added: “She wants to make it clear she feels terrible about her behaviour. She is ashamed of herself for doing this. She has expressed deep remorse.”
Carr Gomm made no comment.