An older woman died tragically before she brought her caregiver to court after stealing cash from her bag.
Georgina Crookes received regular visits from Carer Julie Jones after her family felt that she needed extra support in her house in Cherry Willingham, near Lincoln.
But only a year after hiring Jones, who was working for Sagecare at that time, Georgina's family became suspicious that she had stolen from her.
They decided to set up a hidden camera to try to catch Jones in the act, shortly after £ 30 mysteriously disappeared from the wallet of the beloved grandmother.
To their dismay, it turned out that the preference of the family was right, while later they ran the theft -speaking caregiver red -handed and in the handbag of Georgina while her back was turned around before she seemed to pull something out.
The family estimated that around £ 200 had disappeared in the wallet of the retired person between July and 1 September 2023, when Jones was arrested.
Jones, Van Waddington, argued guilty on 4 March 2025 at Lincoln Crown Court to theft theft of the person's person. She was released on bail and is convicted on May 1, 2025.
However, Georgina was unable to see the criminal brought to court, while she died tragically at the age of 81 on April 4, 2024.
Georgina Crookes is seen to celebrate her 80th birthday, she died tragically before she saw her theft for the theft after stealing cash from her bag
Carer Julie Jones was red -handy and reached in Georgina's handbag while her back was turned around before she looked something
Georgina's daughter, Lynn Prescott, expressed her dismay after she was unable to spend the last months of her mother with her.
Lynn said: 'Mama was one of the friendliest people to help someone, so the whole family was angry she had benefited from, especially because Julie did not know the financial position of Mama and clearly didn't care.
'It makes it worse to think that we trusted her and she was paid to take care of the mother, but that didn't.
“After this incident, we changed Sagecare care providers in Amber Care and only realized when the right care was.”
Lynn added: 'Mama was placed under palliative care in January 2024 and was found to be guilty in advance [outset of the] Trial, we would have had more time with Mama instead of letting her go to court.
“Unfortunately, she died without knowing the outcome as a result of Julie who initially did not argue guilty.”
The test began in 2022, when the family care for Georgina organized by the council because she needed some extra support.
Georgina's granddaughter in the law, Rachel Prescott, explained that the family only realized that something was wrong when they considered moving Georgina to a care home.
Jones is depicted on images of a hidden camera, which the family set up shortly after £ 30, has mysteriously disappeared from the beloved grandmother's wallet
She said: 'She was about to enter a care home because we had the feeling that she was not dealing at home. We thought she had a lot of money and the care was initially not very good and we thought she should stay in a house.
“You know what older people are, she liked having money in her bag, but she had £ 200 every few weeks.”
Prior to her to the house, the £ 45 family went into the wallet of Georgina, but the next day there was only £ 5 left. It was right now that they became suspicious and installed cameras.
Rachel said: 'We had started checks and got a camera in the house and then we caught the caretaker.
'We thought [Georgina] Walked on dementia and that she was not so good for herself, but it was this one caregiver. '
Rachel added: 'In the video images she did not look in the room in front of cameras or something similar. You would have thought she would have been a bit wary, so I think she had done it for a long time.
“The most sad thing is when Georgina spoke with the police, she said she thought Julie was her girlfriend, she was really shocked when we told her it was she.”
Lynn added: 'It was heartbreaking to look, on camera, Julie took my mother's bag out of her handbag right behind her. It made me realize how vulnerable mother was.
'When I told her that we had caught the person for her money and who it was, she just cried and said she felt a fool because she thought she was her friend. I don't think she ever got over it. '
The Lincolnshire police provided a statement from the officer in the case, with the text: 'This has been a challenging and long -term case. The case was dragged away for so long by the suspect who constantly denied theft until she changed her plea at the last hour at Crown Court.
'This has been mainly traumatic for the family involved, especially in view of the victim of this crime who unfortunately died before the righteousness was served and our thoughts are all with them.
Georgina received support from Sagecare via Lincolnshire County Council.
Martin Samuels, executive director of the well -being of care for adults and community, said: 'The safety and well -being of those who receive care is a priority for the council, and our providers are obliged to perform appropriate before work.
'In this case there was nothing that suggests inappropriate behavior in the past. As soon as the caregiver became aware of the concern of the family, they reported the case to us and took action immediately to protect those under their care.
“The person was removed from all tasks and did not go back to work. We hope that the family can find some reassurance to see justice. '
A Sagecare spokesperson said: 'We are deeply saddened by the events with Julie Jones and the impact that this had on Georgina Crookes and her family. Julie Jones has approved all relevant background controls and compliance requirements before he came to our team.
'As soon as we were informed of the allegations, we started an internal investigation and Julie was immediately rejected from her role.
'We welcome the conclusion of legal proceedings and hope that this will bring some closure of the Crookes family.
“Our thoughts stay with them in this difficult time.”
