Nurse Avoids Jail Time Despite Stealing Bank Details Of Patients With Dementia

Despite having a job that cared for the sick, a nurse went overboard and stole bank details of patients under her care.

Stacey Marie Banfield used the money that she stole from patients with dementia and mental health issues and went on an online shopping spree.

One source said that Banfield “abused her position” after she somewhat coerced an 88-year-old man and a 75-year-old woman to give her their financial information.

Banfield then used the victims' money to buy clothes from online stores such as Boohoo and River Island.

The Swansea Crown Court, through Wales Online, pointed that the 31-year-old worked as an auxiliary nurse and was assigned on Ward G of the Neath Port Talbot Hospital.

Her exploits were discovered in summer of 2017 after the patients' relatives noticed several “suspicious online transactions” on their bank accounts. Lawyer Helen Randall then added that they family members contacted the authorities and investigated on the anomalous undertaking.

After making several inquiries from online outlets, the police were able to trace the transactions and that the items were delivered to Banfield's address at Morrison Court, Port Talbot.

Banfield was arrested, interviewed and admitted to “taking bank details from the patients.”

Metro UK echoed Randall's claim when she said that Banfield had been “living well beyond her means” during the time she had the financial details of the patients. Her lawyer, Hannah George, said that prior to the crime, her client had worked with the NHS for 10 years and had been “dedicated to those she cared for.”

Although Banfield had no prior convictions, she was found to have pleaded guilty on two counts of fraud by false representation.

Banfield spent around $725 from her victims, whom Randall described as “particularly vulnerable” because of their condition. The court also heard how the defendant had been “deep in debt” when she stole the sensitive information.

George said that Banfield sought the guidance of the chaplain of her local church after she was arrested. Furthermore, the lawyer said that the defendant was “deeply ashamed” and remorseful of what she did.

Despite Judge Keith Thomas saying that she took advantage of the patients' situation and “abused her position of trust,” Banfield's sentence of 12 months – six months each on account of the two offenses – was suspended for 18 months.

The suspension was based on a pre-sentence report and submitted letters, as well the “long delay in bringing the case to the court.”