Callous Telford carer is sent to jail

Farzana Raja, 23, had ordered weightlifting equipment, jewellery and clothes using the cards of four women she was visiting as a carer. Two of the elderly victims later died.

She also lied in applications and given false references to obtain jobs with two firms, Shrewsbury Crown Court heard.

Jailing Raja for a total of 21 months, Judge Robin Onions said she had breached the enormous trust placed in people who care for the elderly and infirm. He said: "You were totally dishonest."

Raja, of Woollams Road, Arleston, had admitted two offences of fraud in relation to false job applications, theft of a bank card and seven offences of obtaining or attempting to obtain goods by deception.

The defendant had denied six other similar offences of theft and deception and Judge Onions ordered that they lie on the file. Raja was also ordered to pay £1,700 compensation to the West Mercia Police Community Fund, which had been used to repay the four victims the monies that they had lost.

Mr Kevin Jones, prosecuting, said that Raja had managed to obtain goods worth about £1,700 and had attempted to obtain further items valued at more than £1,800 on dates between June and November 2011.

He said between June and August 2011 Raja was a care assistant with Priority Care Ltd of Telford having used false references and education details to get the job.

In September 2011 she was employed by Carewatch Mid-Shropshire, of Stafford Park in Telford, having again given false documents.

Mr Jones said the victims were from the Bridgnorth area. Two of the vulnerable women were aged 82 and 86 and the two other victims, one who had impaired sight, had subsequently died.

Mr Richard Davenport, for Raja, said his client had mental health issues and committed the offences as a plea for help.