Netley carer stole residents' jewellery to fund cocaine habit

Ellie-May Hinton, 28, abused her position at Netley Court care home to steal more than 20 items of jewellery in a spree of thefts during the pandemic.

Southampton Crown Court heard how Hinton, of Leah Gardens, Eastleigh, would sell the items after stealing from “some of the most vulnerable people in society”. From August 1, 2020 to October 31, 2020, she took items including gold rings, bracelets, chains and earrings with an estimated value of around £10,000.

After taking the items from 13 residents, she then visited a number of pawn brokers to cash in on the items, pocketing the money for her cocaine habit.

Hinton, who is currently in £2,000 of debt, even asked her manager at one point if she could be moved to the dementia community at the home as she had become “bored” of the floor she was on.

Netley Court care home. (Image: Google Maps)

Her crimes, described as a “campaign of dishonesty” by Judge Christopher Parker KC, were only discovered after she stole from a friend.

Prosecuting, Matthew Lawson said she had been invited to use her friend’s pool and had gone inside to shower and change when she took the opportunity to steal more jewellery.

An eternity ring and earrings worth £1,100 each and another ring were stolen during the incident.

The items were reported stolen with Hinton even volunteering to help the family look for them, but after some of the items were found in her house, she was arrested.

When interviewed, she admitted to stealing the items as well as jewellery from Netley Court.

She later pleaded guilty to 16 counts of theft and appeared on Tuesday for sentencing.

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In a statement read out in court, her friend, from whom she had stolen a ring gifted to her by her grandmother, said she now had “trust issues”.

“Some of the items stolen from my home had sentimental value. It took me a good six months to come to terms with what happened," she said.

“I have accepted that I will never see my nan’s ring again. It’s like I’m grieving all over again. Ellie was aware this ring was left to me by my nan.”

Judge Parker added: “This was not simply a one-off act of dishonesty.

“Those were people who were completely helpless. [There was] significant emotional distress to those who were able to recognise what you had done.”

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But mitigating, Ruba Huleihel said her client had assisted police in identifying the stolen jewellery and was “extremely remorseful” and “genuinely disgusted with herself”.

“She knows that she has no one to blame but herself.”

Ms Huleihel added that Hinton had a difficult upbringing and fell into debt due to her cocaine addiction after leaving the family home at 18.

It was also said that she has caring responsibilities for her father after her mother died.

She was jailed for two years.

Some of the stolen items were recovered by police but some were not found.

Hannah Daish, who led the investigation, said: “Hinton preyed on some of the most vulnerable people in the community, with the majority suffering from dementia – so it is likely that they were not even aware the thefts had taken place.

“This investigation started at a time where due to COVID restrictions being in place, no family members were able to visit the care home to check on their loved ones and check their possessions.

“No one should be made to feel unsafe in an environment where they are being cared for by a person in a position of trust.

“Sadly some of the victims have now passed away, but I am hopeful that the news of the sentencing brings a sense of justice for the victims and families affected by Hinton’s crimes.

“Ellie-May Hinton has now been sentenced for her crimes and now has the opportunity to reflect on her actions, learn from her crimes and understand the impact it has had on her victims.”