A CARER showed her true colours when she scammed £1,000 from a vulnerable man she was meant to be helping.
Priya Lal, of Florence Road, Southall, was jailed for eight years after her victim, in his fifties, became suspicious when he noticed the money was missing.
With the help of a friend the man, who had to have part of his frontal lobe removed following a brain tumour, contacted police and together they traced the theft to a cheque paid out to Lal.Officers arrested her in March last year and found the victim's cheque-book in her bedroom.
The 22-year-old, who had carried out chores such as cooking as well as helping her victim with his medication for two months, initially denied the allegations.
This put her victim - who lives in Acton - through the stress of preparing to appear in court. But she later changed her plea to guilty and was sentenced in Isleworth Crown Court on February 26 this year.
DC Sarah Hannant, leading investigator for vulnerable adults for Ealing Police, said the crime had meant the victim had completely lost trust in carers. She added: "We have had similar cases but not to this extent.
"Lal preyed on the good nature, kindness and vulnerability of her victim who, as a result of her actions, not only suffered a financial loss but also a great deal of anxiety and disappointment towards someone he thought he could trust.
"The majority of carers do an excellent job in difficult circumstances. However, this sentence gives a clear indication that the police and the courts will deal firmly with those who take advantage of our community's most vulnerable residents."
