Kenyan jailed in UK for stealing millions from sick elderly woman
A Kenyan woman, who was employed to take care of an elderly woman with Alzheimer, has been jailed for two years after she was found guilty of stealing millions from her.
Kisella Hillman committed the offences over the course of about three months while she was being paid to look after the 89-year-old woman.
During her trial earlier this month, Kisella claimed she had used the money to pay for time in a recording studio and to help support an orphanage in Kenya.
According to Somersetlive of UK, the 27-year-old defendant, had denied charges of stealing Sh6.7 million belonging to Kathleen Brindle.
ARRESTED
During the trial, prosecutor Nikki Coombe told Taunton Crown Court Hillman had been employed to look after Mrs Brindle when she moved to live with her family in Mells, following the death of her son.
With her mental health deteriorating, Hillman had been supposed to help insure her quality of life, making sure she was eating and drinking and taking her out for shopping, lunch and social occasions.
The transactions and withdrawals were spotted by an employee of the Brindle family after Hillman had been dismissed from her role for poor timekeeping.
When arrested and interviewed by police, Hillman told them the money had been given to her as a gift.
Giving evidence in her defence, Hillman said she had originally started work as a nanny for the family, before being asked to take on the role of caring for the woman, who had moved from Buckinghamshire following the death of her son.
THEFT
Hillman claimed she had spent some of the money on time in a recording studio and had donated the rest to an orphanage in Kenya, but at her sentencing was unable to provide evidence of what had happened to the money.
Mitigating, Eiran Reilly told the court that due to the victim’s deteriorating mental health, the lasting effects of the thefts had little effect on her.
Mr Reilly added that Hillman had no previous convictions and had previously been of exceptionally good character, working for a Kenyan charity.
The court heard how Hillman had ‘systematically helped herself to the money of a vulnerable woman she had been entrusted to look after.’
Hillman was jailed for a total of two years and will also be subject to a hearing under the Proceeds of Crime Act in an attempt to claw back some of the money she took.
