A COLD-HEARTED carer who stole £2,255 from a ‘vulnerable woman’ has been given a suspended prison sentence after a court heard how he had been diagnosed with cancer.

Michael Mitchener, 23, from Oates Road, Bournemouth, admitted fraud while working at a residential home in Poole.

Prosecuting at Bournemouth Crown Court, Jennie Rickman said Mitchener’s victim, a woman in her 40s, suffered from learning difficulties and was ‘significantly dependent’.

She added: “She can’t deal with day-to-day finances and staff manage her affairs, withdrawing funds from her bank account.”

Mrs Rickman said the home manager had become suspicious after checking the victim’s bank statements and discovering that withdrawals made on Mitchener’s shifts had never been recorded. She alerted police and when Mitchener was arrested he told officers he had been ‘really stupid’.

In his defence, the court heard that he was a man of previous good character who was ‘deeply ashamed’ after having used his gains to fund his drug and alcohol addiction.

He had been diagnosed with cancer in October last year and might need surgery.

Judge Roger Jarvis imposed a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for a year, and imposed a community order.

He described Mitchener’s conduct as ‘disgraceful’, adding: “You were responsible for a person who is disadvantaged.

“You were in a position of trust and you breached that trust.

“The victim looked to your for protection, not to see you taking money from her.”