A 32-year-old caregiver from Plettenberg Bay has pleaded guilty to stealing R40 000 from a former employer suffering from dementia, reports Knysna-Plett Herald.

Hesley Mclein appeared in the District Court in Plettenberg Bay on Friday (June 19), where she admitted to unlawfully using her employer’s bank card to withdraw cash and purchase goods for her family.

The case initially involved allegations that Mclein had stolen more than R90 000 through unauthorised cash withdrawals and purchases, including groceries and clothing. However, following negotiations between the state and defence, Mclein pleaded guilty to theft involving R40 000.

The court heard that Mclein had been employed as a caregiver to Alan Kushner.

On one occasion, Kushner gave her permission to withdraw R3 000 from his account as a token of appreciation for services rendered.

Prosecutors said that after obtaining access to the bank card, Mclein continued using it without authorisation on several occasions, withdrawing cash and purchasing items for her family.

Wife discovered suspicious transactions

Kushner’s wife, Marian, said she noticed suspicious transactions while doing her husband’s bookkeeping.

“I thought it was strange because Alan cannot walk or drive,” she said.

After obtaining security footage from a business where the card had been used, she identified Mclein and contacted Crescent Carevita management.

According to Marian, Mclein admitted to using the card without authorisation when confronted.

“Alan worked hard for 83 years. This is sad, but it is wrong to steal from an elderly man,” she said.

Highly regarded employee

A manager of Carevita, who wishes to remain anonymous, said Mclein had been highly regarded by both the family and her employer before the incident.

According to Crescent Carevita management, Mclein was considered an exceptional caregiver with a strong work ethic and was frequently requested by Kushner because she worked well with him.

“I am heartbroken, but what’s fair is fair,” the manager said.

Defence seeks leniency

Defence attorney Carl Jeppe urged the court to consider Mclein’s personal circumstances, including her lack of previous convictions and the impact imprisonment would have on her three children, aged two, seven and 11.

The court heard that Mclein and her husband are unemployed and that she has been without work since her arrest in January.

Jeppe said Mclein would be able to make monthly repayments of R2 000 should the court grant a compensation order. The court noted that the complainant had suffered a substantial financial loss and that a compensation order would help address the prejudice suffered.

Concerns over plea agreement

Both the state and defence supported a compensation order together with a suspended prison sentence. However, Marian questioned the amount reflected in the guilty plea, claiming that her husband’s losses exceed R80 000.

She said a fraud case was opened in January and that bank statements had been supplied to investigators.

“We were not informed of, nor aware of, the guilty plea relating to only R40 000,” she said.

“The amount exceeds R40 000. How was that amount determined?”

Mclein was found guilty and released on extended bail pending sentencing. She was expected to return to court yesterday (June 24).

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