An Exeter care home manager with a gambling habit who stole £30,000 from two residents, then sold his home and car to pay them back, has been slapped with a suspended jail sentence
A care home manager who stole £30,000 from residents has avoided an immediate prison sentence, writes Isabelle Pinnock, OPCC court reporting scheme.
Paul Blinkhorn, 43, of Parkland Drive, Digby, Exeter, pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud by abuse of position, committed between January 10, 2023, and September 5, 2024 when he appeared at Exeter Magistrates Court.
The court heard that Blinkhorn used his position as manager of Seabrook House, a care facility in Exeter, to steal £15,000 each from two residents.
While employed at the home, Blinkhorn accessed two of the residents’ debit cards and withdrew money from their accounts.
He had worked at Seabrook House for 18 years.
Simon Dusting, prosecuting, said the offences came to light when the brother of one of the victims became concerned after noticing a significant drop in his brother’s bank balance.
The court heard Blinkhorn handed himself in to police and made full admissions, disclosing that he had stolen the money.
Representing himself in court, Blinkhorn said he was “extremely remorseful” and explained that he had struggled with a gambling addiction.
The court heard he had repaid the stolen funds in full.
“I sold my car, I sold my only property, to pay back the balance,” Blinkhorn told magistrates.
“I wrongly stole, but the money has been paid back in full.”
