Zimbabwean carer in UK stole thousands

By David Jackson

NORTHAMPTON, UK – A Zimbabwean care worker who stole thousands of pounds from a mentally ill man with learning difficulties has been given a suspended jail sentence.

Lloyd Madamba worked for the charity Mind and was the part- time carer for Bruce Buckby, who lived in sheltered accommodation.

On 16 occasions between March and November 2009, Madamba, of Butland Road, Corby, took Mr Buckby’s debit card and used it to withdraw £3,300.

Mr Buckby became suspicious that someone was stealing money from him as he would only take between £60 and £80 from his account, while Madamba was withdrawing between £100 and £250 at a time.

At Northampton Crown Court, Madamba, 37, was sentenced for four charges of theft, having previously pleaded guilty to the charges at Kettering Magistrates’ Court last month.

Sentencing, recorder Christopher Millington QC said: “You were employed as a carer for Mind and trusted to provide this vulnerable man’s need. After a short period you began to steal from him using his bank card and Pin. You continued to steal from him for eight months.

“In my view, your case involves a gross breach of trust, trust that your employers placed in you to look after a man with learning difficulties and special needs. You were trusted to look after him but you exploited him.”

In mitigation, Mark Nicholls told the court Madamba was using the money to pay bills and to send cash to his father in Zimbabwe, who was suffering from bowel cancer.

Madamba was sentenced to 40 weeks in prison, suspended for two years for each charge which will run concurrently.

He was also ordered to do 100 hours unpaid work and repay the money he stole, and £340 legal costs, within 28 days. Northantset.co.uk

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