Paramedic struck off for stealing from elderly lady

A paramedic has been struck off for stealing £3,500 from an elderly lady she met through her job.

Annette Smith, who was convicted at Worcester Crown Court for theft in March 2010 after pleading guilty, was struck off the Health Professions Council (HPC) Register.

The thefts occurred over an 18-month period, the court heard, when Smith would regularly make withdrawals for the pensioner but ‘top up’ the amount and pocket the difference.

Smith received a 26-week prison sentence, suspended for 24 months, a supervision order for 12 months, 100 hours of community service and was ordered to pay compensation to her victim.

HPC Conduct and Competence Committee Panel chairwoman Jacki Pearce said: “The Panel regard this as a very serious case of dishonesty and breach of trust involving an elderly and vulnerable lady.

“The thefts took place over an 18 month period and occurred after the registrant came into contact with her victim whilst employed as a paramedic.”

The panel decided the most appropriate action was to strike Smith from the Register with an Interim Suspension Order to cover the appeal period.