A woman has been jailed for more than four years after she targeted elderly women to defraud them out sentimental items and several thousands of pounds.

Amy Bassett, 33, from St Georges Road, Keynsham, admitted one count of dwelling theft and three counts of fraud by false representation and was sentenced to 52 months in prison at Bristol Crown Court on Friday 6 November.

The court heard how Bassett, who was a care worker at the time of her offending, demonstrated a sustained pattern of offending against exceptionally vulnerable victims over an extended period, and was convicted at the same court in April.

The offences span from January 2024 to December 2024 and were committed against elderly females suffering from severe dementia who required significant levels of care and support.

Bassett committed a dwelling theft at a property in Bath that had been vacated by a 100-year-old woman after she was moved into a care setting due to severe dementia.

Enquiries established that Bassett had regularly attended the property in her role as a care worker. She also attempted to pay a fraudulent cheque for a significant amount into a bank account, but the transaction was identified and stopped by the bank before any funds were transferred.

It was also discovered that Bassett fraudulently opened a credit card account in the victim’s name, with repayments being taken from the victim’s personal bank account, leading to a substantial financial loss.

The second series of offending happened at a care home in a village in the Bath and North East Somerset area and involved a woman in her late seventies who has advanced dementia and requires 24-hour care. Enquiries found that her engagement ring and wedding ring had been removed without consent, which were subsequently sold at a pawn broker to raise money for Christmas presents.

The emotional impact on the victims’ families has been significant, particularly given the stolen items included sentimental jewellery of considerable personal value and the financial abuse involved substantial sums of money. We have maintained contact with the families involved throughout the investigation, and they have also been offered access to any specialist support services they may benefit from.

Throughout this investigation, extensive enquiries were required to gather evidence from a number of sources, including family members, care providers, financial institutions and local businesses.

PC Samantha Nation, investigating officer in the case, said: “This was a lengthy and complex investigation that uncovered a persistent pattern of offending against some of the most vulnerable members of our community.

“Over an extended period, the defendant repeatedly targeted elderly women suffering from dementia, exploiting their age, medical conditions and reliance on others in order to commit fraud and theft for personal financial gain.

“These offences were made all the more serious by the abuse of trust involved and the deliberate targeting of individuals who were unable to protect themselves.

“I would like to thank the victims’ families for their patience, support and determination throughout what has been an emotional and often distressing process. “