Care home boss sentenced

A care home manager in Northamptonshire, England stole more than ￡250,000 ($329,147) from residents to fund his gambling addiction.

Benjamin Howard, 35, was in charge of five care homes in the county and stole the money over three years between September 2017 and August 2020.

Howard was sentenced to three years and four months in prison

After admitting fraud by abuse of position in Northampton Crown Court, Howard was sentenced to three years and four months in prison.

The theft was discovered when one resident requested access to their account, after which Howard resigned from his position. Howard handed himself in to Northamptonshire police on September 20, 2020, and was arrested on suspicion of fraud.

Theft from residents and families

Over the three years in which the offenses took place, Howard used a variety of methods to siphon funds from residents’ accounts to fund his addiction.

He used residents’ bank cards were to withdraw cash from ATMs and he also used personal details to impersonate them and access their accounts. Howard would then move their accounts over to telephone or online banking, as well as ensure that statements would be sent to his own home address.

Howard also created fake trips and events to collect donations and other funds from residents’ next of kin, after claiming to be in charge of financial matters at the homes. He would then launder the money through both the residents’ bank accounts and his own five personal accounts.

Gambling debts fueled fraud

When questioned by the police, Howard told officers that his gambling addiction had spiraled out of control and that he had stolen the money to pay off his debts.

After admitting to defrauding residents of between ￡30,000 ($39,497) and ￡40,000 ($52,662), however, it quickly became apparent that the true figure was far higher, eventually totalling ￡250,201.93 ($329,408). The victims have been partially refunded by their banks.

Benjamin Howard was placed into a position of trust which he betrayed”

Emma England, Detective Constable of Northamptonshire Police’s economic crime team said of the crime: “Benjamin Howard was placed into a position of trust which he betrayed, and instead of safeguarding his victims, he took full advantage of their vulnerabilities.”

“In his own admission, he stole the money to fund his gambling and pay off his debts which had spiralled out of control. Although he was remorseful, we hope he uses his time in prison to not only reflect on his actions but to receive support for his addiction.”