A nurse who tricked a vulnerable pensioner out of more than £2000 is facing jail.
Beverley Henry-Browne, of Addiscombe Road, Croydon was an NHS nurse working out of the Queen Mary Hospital as part of the Community Health Team.
During a period of just under three months last year Henry-Browne, 53, withdrew £2350 from the bank account of a 70-year-old suffering from paranoid schizophrenia she had helped set up.
Appearing at Kingston Crown Court on Friday June 29, the nurse was told she is likely to face a jail term of eight months, after she pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of position on March 26 this year.
The court heard how Henry-Browne was assigned to look after the pensioner, who lives in Wandsworth independently, in 2010.
During this time the victim fell into rent arrears and the 53-year-old mother of one offered to help her set up a savings account to deal with her money problems.
A support worker also attached to the victim was aware of the rent problems and during a visit was told by the pensioner her new payments seemed rather high.
An investigation found a number of bank withdrawals from ATM’s the victim had never visited, including a number in Croydon near Henry-Browne’s home.
In total £2350 was taken out in 20 withdrawals, the lowest being £20, and the highest £300.
Defending Henry-Browne, who is originally from Trinidad, Tim Starkey said she had money problems of her own, with debts running up to £20,000 and had intended to pay the money back.
He pointed to the fact she paid £250 into the account, and had a previously unblemished record.
He added her difficulties were increased through having to care for her 25-year-old daughter, who suffers from bi-polar disorder.
Judge Jones advised Henry-Browne could face a jail term of eight months.
Sentencing was adjourned to July 23 to allow care provision to be made for her daughter.
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