Kieran Dunphy was jailed for after the judge rejected a submission the sentence could be suspended
A care home work who had stolen more than £25,000 from an elderly resident’s account threatened to set himself on fire when he turned up at a police station to confess.
Warwick Crown Court heard that Kieran Dunphy, who had stolen the money to fund his gambling addiction, doused himself in a flammable liquid before arriving at the police station.
Dunphy, 29, of Bury Road, Leamington, who pleaded guilty to the theft of the money which was the victim's inheritance, was jailed for 16 months after the judge rejected a submission that the sentence could be suspended.
Ian Windridge, prosecuting, said Dunphy worked at a care home in Warwick where his victim and her father were both residents, and he was one of her carers.
“A point came when there was a problem with her bank account, when a payment that was due could not be made due to a lack of funds," said Mr Windridge, who added that residents’ bank cards were kept in an office, and at various times staff members had to assist residents with making transactions.
And Mr Windridge pointed out: “[The victim] was bed-bound, so it was highly unlikely she would be the person going to the cash machines.
“When it was made clear to the defendant that he was being suspended, he took that fairly badly and presented himself at Leamington police station, having covered himself in a flammable liquid.
“He said he was going to set himself on fire, saying: ‘I have done something terrible. I’ve robbed someone and stolen from them'.”
Dunphy was detained under the Mental Health Act and taken to a psychiatric unit, but was soon discharged.
Jailing Dunphy, Recorder Eugene Egan told him: “I have to consider whether I can suspend the sentence, but I am afraid I cannot do so, as adequate punishment can only be applied here by immediate custody.
“You repeatedly took money from this woman. You knew it was wrong, but you went on and on and on.”
Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2021 1:11 pm