Wheelchair-bound woman robbed by carer offered support

A wheelchair-bound woman who was robbed by her carer today told how she was touched by the kindness of strangers.
Muriel Thomson had £110 stolen from her purse by her carer, Suzanne Duncan at Aberdeen's Raeden Court Sheltered housing project.

Angus, 29, also took £100 from two other elderly residents at the complex based on Midstocket Road.

After newspapers revealed 57-year-old Muriel's ordeal, the public offered their support.

Peterhead crisis management firm ABRAS wanted to give Muriel, who is paralysed after suffering from a brain haemorrhage, all of the missing money.

She said: "It was a really kind gesture. I am touched that they thought of me."

But she said she could not accept the money, adding that she only wanted Duncan - who has admitted the crime - to repay the money.

Duncan was sentenced last month at Aberdeen Sheriff Court to a 15-month community payback order instead of a prison sentence.

ABRAS Director Cheryl Jones, said: "This was a disgusting and unforgivable betrayal of trust. My colleague and I both have family members who work in the care sector and the majority of carers are incredibly honest and hard-working people.

"However it was very upsetting to read how the the theft affected Muriel and its impact on her financially being able to provide at Christmas. So we wanted to replace the money that had been taken."

Muriel has praised Raeden's operators Blackwood Housing Association for their actions and has said that the kind response from the public has restored some of her confidence.

She said: "Not all carers are like Suzanne Duncan. Disabled people should not feel that they can not be safe in their own homes."

Laura Fyall