Oakfields Care Home Deputy Manager Stole Christmas Cash

A deputy care home manager who stole £1,800 intended for residents' Christmas gifts has been given a suspended jail term. Cheryl Gutteridge, 37, asked residents of Oakfields at Easton Maudit, Northamptonshire, what they wanted.But she used money from their accounts to buy things for herself, Northampton Crown Court heard.Gutteridge, of Corby, admitted theft and was given a nine-month sentence, suspended for 18 months.The court heard 17 residents, who have learning disabilities and mental health conditions, were asked to draw up a list of things they wanted for Christmas.Gutteridge, of Samuel Place, was tasked with using money in their accounts to buy items from the list then wrap them up.Instead, she bought items for herself including clothing, Egyptian cotton towels and a toilet brush.She was caught when the financial manager of the home noticed male residents had women's clothing billed to their accounts.Gutteridge must also complete 250 hours unpaid work and 12 months supervision. It is the second time this year that an Oakfields worker has been convicted of thefts from the home. In April, its former manager, 51-year-old Jenny Glanister, was jailed for two years and eight months for stealing £330,000.Northampton Crown Court heard Glanister, of Northampton, spent the cash on clothing and jewellery.A compliance report by the Care Quality Commission in September found Oakfield was meeting all the essential standards of quality and safety.