A FRAUDSTER care home manager has walked free from court, despite breaching the trust of vulnerable victims.

David Seddon appeared before Warrington Magistrates’ Court to face two counts of fraud by false representation, one of fraud by abuse of position and one of theft from a person.

But the 42-year-old, who defrauded thousands of pounds, was spared an immediate custodial sentence

The court heard from Gayle McCoubrey, representing the prosecution, how the fraudulent activity began in December 2021.

The defendant, as manager of Norton Lodge Care Home in Runcorn, abused a position in which he was expected to safeguard, or not act against the financial interests of.

He dishonestly made a gain by making transactions to the value of £1,524.31, using a credit card issued by the care home between December 18, 2021, and August 9, 2022.

He used this to order additional food items on the company ordering system which were for himself, not the care home.

In addition, he committed fraud and theft in July 2022 by presenting the bank card of another man in order to withdraw money from his bank account, intending to make a gain of £940 for himself.

Before sentencing, magistrates told Seddon that the offences were so serious that only a custodial sentence could be justified.

This was due to him demonstrating a breach of trust to vulnerable victims, with the fraud also committed over a ‘substantial period of time’.

However, taking his guilty pleas into account, they concluded that the custodial sentence could be suspended.

This was due to a determination that the defendant is a ‘realistic prospect for rehabilitation’, consideration that his imprisonment would have a ‘significant impact on his family members’, and a ruling on the current high prison population.

Seddon, of King Arthurs Walk in Runcorn, was sentenced to 12 months in prison suspended for two years.

He was also ordered to complete 180 hours of unpaid work

No order for him to pay court costs or a statutory victim surcharge was made, with compensation taking priority, and to compensate he must repay both the £940 and £1,524.31 amounts.