Harinderpal Dhami prosecutes care home manager convicted of defrauding dementia patient

Harinderpal Dhami appeared as prosecution counsel in the trial of a care home manager convicted of six counts of fraud at Worcester Crown Court, following a five-day trial.

The complainant, a resident at the care home, had been diagnosed with vascular dementia and lacked capacity to manage her own finances. The Court of Protection had appointed solicitors to act as her deputy. With no family visiting the complainant, the defendant, abused her position of trust for her own benefit.

Over a 16 month period the defendant withdrew approximately £1,400 in cash from the complainant’s bank account every month. During the same period she spent a further £8,500 from the account on items for herself and her family. The final fraudulent transaction, a £250 cash withdrawal, took place on the day the defendant flew to Dubai to celebrate her 50th birthday. During the period of the frauds she also purchased one of the two Mercedes cars she owned.

Following her arrest, police discovered a bank balance slip for the complainant’s account at the defendant’s home address. She denied any wrongdoing from the outset.

The complainant passed away two years before the case reached trial. The defendant was convicted on all six counts.

Press coverage:

Hereford Times

BBC News