Carer jailed for stealing almost £10,000 from vulnerable Derbyshire woman

Tom Ssematiko admitted four counts of fraud by false representation during May 2021, while he was employed as a care worker for the victim who lived in Wirksworth.

He opened her bank statements and set up online banking on her account without permission, before making three transactions to transfer money to his own account, totalling more than £9,000.

The 59-year-old, of Moor Furlong, in Stretton, Burton-on-Trent, then tried a fourth time to transfer more than £10,000 from her account but it was declined and a block was set up by the woman’s bank.

After a genuine online purchase was stopped another carer helped the victim by taking her to her bank on May 19 and they realised that Ssematiko, who was supposed to be looking after her, had stolen almost £10,000 from her account.

The crime was then reported to Derbyshire police by the woman’s bank.

The care agencies the 59-year-old worked for helped the force with their investigation and Ssematiko was arrested in Wales on May 25, of this year.

He was questioned by officers and subsequently charged.

Ssematiko appeared at Derby Crown Court this month and he was sentenced to a total of 18 months imprisonment.

Detective Sergeant Richard Kubon said: “We are pleased with the result and we hope that the victim is given some comfort by the sentence given.

"This crime was a disgraceful act where Ssematiko abused his position of trust while caring for a vulnerable woman and took advantage of her for his own greed.”

For more information and advice about different types of fraud visit Action Fraud, the UK’s national fraud and cybercrime reporting centre at https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/.

If you think you have been a victim of fraud, you can also report it to Derbyshire online by visiting their website www.derbyshire.police.uk or by calling 101.

The force has reminded people to always call 999 if it is an emergency situation where they feel intimidated, frightened or if they face immediate danger.

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