Carer stole life-savings from pensioner and went on £37k spree
A THIEF who cared for a housebound pensioner for more than a decade stole his life savings and went on a £37,000 spending spree.
Mother-of-three Tracey Jenkinson abused Dennis Grocock's trust when he gave her power of attorney over his financial affairs.
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JAILED: Tracey Jenkinson smiles as she arrives at court yesterday. Picture: Mark Scott
The 42-year-old, who was in her victim's will, funded a lavish lifestyle for herself and her children aged 19, 18 and 11.
Her spree included:
Buying a £3,700 car for her daughter;
Buying a holiday to Venezuela for her daughter;
Paying for drama classes for her children.
Now Jenkinson, of Waterdale Grove, Meir Hay, Stoke-on-Trent, is starting a three-year prison sentence after admitting stealing £55,000 from Mr Grocock between July 1, 2006 and May 2, 2008.
Jenkinson pleaded guilty just minutes before her trial in July on the basis that she accepted cashing three of Mr Grocock's Scottish Widows policies and spending between £36,000 and £37,000 of that sum.
Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard Jenkinson first met Mr Grocock in the mid 1990s when she was in a relationship with his nephew, Darren Grocock.
She started helping Mr Grocock by fetching his groceries.
In 2006, Jenkinson was granted power of attorney.
But over the next two years, 69-year-old Mr Grocock's outgoings rose to £60,000 when they were normally around £11,500 a year.
Paul Spratt, prosecuting, said: "Mr Grocock is a very frail man. This has had a devastating effect on him."
Paul Cliff, defending, said Jenkinson had felt obliged to look after Mr Grocock, who lived in the Meir area, because he needed help.
He said: "Initially there was nothing sinister in her getting power of attorney."
The court heard Jenkinson started making small cash withdrawals because she was in financial difficulties after splitting with her partner.
But the spending escalated as she cashed in policies.
Mr Cliff said: "She has always been hard-working. She has worked as a support worker for a significant time."
Judge Paul Glenn said Mr Grocock had been an easy victim.
He said: "He has limited mobility and is effectively housebound."
He told Jenkinson: "This isn't a case of need, this is a case of greed. You exploited his vulnerability for your own benefit."
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by Bemused, Stoke
Thursday, September 09 2010, 7:30PM
“Claire - I'm currently having severe financial difficulties, does that make it ok for me to prey on a frail, elderly person? Surely it wouldn't be evil of me to choose the most vulnerable of people to steal from? Who care's whether she was in his will or not, the fact is that he isn't dead. I'm the beneficiary of my mum's house once she passes, shall i kick her out now because i'll get it eventually anyway?
Grow a brain moron. You won;t find sympathy here. If she was struggling so much and her kids were nothing to do with it then how did her daughter think she was paying for the holiday?”
by Nikki, Blurton
Thursday, September 09 2010, 3:18PM
“at the end of the day the papers write the truth if people dont like what they write dont buy it.”
by anon, is full of it
Wednesday, September 08 2010, 9:19PM
“anon where ever you are from
you are one big hypocritical d*** read your last comment again”
by nikki, blurton
Wednesday, September 08 2010, 9:03PM
“i am shocked of the people today they think they getting cared for BUT NO THEY ARE being ripped off, i hope she rotts in jail, what happens to the gentleman will he get his money back ? NO if i was qualif to be a carer i would do it for free i feel so sorry for him he will never trust anyone again and feel sad and alone and that is really heart aching”
by Nicola, Blurton
Wednesday, September 08 2010, 8:55PM
“i think people like need locking up for more than 3 years sorry if i bug people when i say it, she has been lapping it up for ages and the look on her face she aint really bothered is she NO. people always talk about the people who affend and what will happen to the gentleman who she ripped off will he get any of the money back? i do really feel for him he will never trust again and will feel alone and that is sad, if i was qualif to be a carer for him for free i bloody would.”
by annon, newcastle
Wednesday, September 08 2010, 8:09PM
“So you all think that papers write the truth do you ? well guess what, they dont, they write only with the object to sell and make money ! Also judges are not always right , cases are not always as cut and dry as they might seem! Its so nice to know that all of the people of stoke are all so perfect and never do any wrong ! Not judgemental ! Blaming her children ,some of you are really showing yourselves as the scum bags ! I suppose you also blamed the children of the recent lunatic who killed all the people in the lakes ! None of us are perfect !”
by Colin, Hartshill
Wednesday, September 08 2010, 7:57PM
“Claire, Meir Park.
Yes Claire many people whose father has died, or had their partner leave them, or was in danger of loosing their home may go of the rails but how do you justify wasting stolen money on cars, holidays and drama lessons - that is theft for no other purpose than because she is a dishonest person and betrayal of an elderly man who trusted her.”
by magneto, shelton
Wednesday, September 08 2010, 7:47PM
“You do all realise that we are simply talking about a different thief here? With respect, if the old boy is frail and housebound, logic dictates it wouldn't be long before he has to go into a care home. Then the good old government would take the cost out of his estate till he passed on or the money ran out. This lady was a beneficiary to the will anyway - the use of his money may well be illegal but immoral? - I don't think so. When you are nearing the pearly gates visit the prudent get no better treatment than the reckless - it's nuts but true.”
by james, stoke
Wednesday, September 08 2010, 6:58PM
“Tracey Jenkinson, of Waterdale Grove, Meir Hay, Stoke-on-Trent, is starting a three-year prison sentence for theft. Why should her children escape retribution because they have gained from their mother's dishonesty and enjoyed privileged life style?
" Buying a £3,700 car for her daughter;
Buying a holiday to Venezuela for her daughter;
Paying for drama classes for her children "
Surely payback time is imminent! Mr Grocott needs his money returned to him now!
Even Judge Glenn said '"He has limited mobility and is effectively housebound"”
by anon, stoke-on-trent
Wednesday, September 08 2010, 6:39PM
“Liam excuses, I worked like stink, drew a crap wage, while those who flirted with the boss got almost double my wage. I never had flash holidays if I needed to save I took extra work. I also ran a lad school & plus another centre in the same morning with no help not even an offer of mileage while the youth workers sat drinking tea & laughing. At that time I was living on debt, but never have I took anything always been honest. While suffering from criminals I haven't been able to work, nor will I see an employer taking me on, due to criminals using me. Thats life, its no excuse to thieve so I haven't, I do without. Its good to do voluntary work all Stokies need a lesson in that has greed & laziness are holding the City back.”