Wiltshire 999s
  • Wiltshire news
    • Incidents
    • Courts
  • West Country news
  • News near you
    • Swindon
    • Chippenham
    • Trowbridge
    • Salisbury
    • Find your area >
  • Support
    • Mental health helplines
    • Domestic abuse helplines
  • More
    • Community
No Result
View All Result
Wiltshire 999s
No Result
View All Result
Home Wiltshire news Wiltshire courts

Nurse stole £130 from elderly woman’s handbag whilst she received treatment

byDaniel Jae Webb
25 May 2021 | 6.25pm
Nurse stole £130 from elderly woman’s handbag whilst she received treatment
Share on FacebookPost on XSend via WhatsApp

A medical centre nurse stole an elderly woman’s money as she received treatment for diabetes, a court heard.

Mother-of-two Samantha Currie, 32, appeared at Swindon Magistrates’ Court this morning having been found guilty of theft at her trial in March.

Crown prosecutor Keith Ballinger said the victim, an 81-year-old woman, attended a medical centre – which was not named in court – for a diabetes-related eye exam.

The defendant, of Priory Road, Park South, was working at the establishment as a nurse. She had accompanied the patient into an examination room on 9 October 2019 and stood behind her during the process.

Whilst the woman was undergoing an assessment, which involved having drops placed into her eyes, Currie stole £130 from a wallet in her handbag. The bag was placed unzipped on a chair a short distance behind her – and near the defendant – in the same room.

The victim noticed the money was gone when she arrived home and went to give her daughter some of the £140 she’d earlier withdrawn from a cashpoint – only two £5 notes remained. Realising the only time she’d been without her bag was during the medical exam, she called the centre to report the loss.

Sometime later, the woman received a phone call from Currie reporting that her £110 in cash – £20 less than was missing – had been found in a bin at the medical centre. She collected it before reporting the incident to Wiltshire Police.

In an interview, Currie denied she’d taken the money. She continued to deny the theft in court and a trial was arranged for 11 March 2021, where she was found guilty.

In a victim impact statement, the 81-year-old said she was “shocked when it appeared it was a nurse who had taken it”, adding that she feared the ordeal probably would have caused her a heart attack if it wasn’t for her pacemaker.

Defending, Liz Highams said her client had a “right to appeal her conviction”, adding that she wouldn’t add much fruther.

She told of how Currie is the mother of two young children and is currently unemployed. Neither fathers are involved in their care, with one having been deported.

Magistrates, labelling the theft as an “abuse of trust” and noting that it caused “considerable stress”, imposed an 18-month community order with 120 hours of unpaid work.

She was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £95 and costs of £200.

Click here to join our WhatsApp Channel and get breaking news sent directly to your mobile – don’t forget to turn on notifications by clicking the bell icon.

Click a topic to read more stories like this:

Tags: Swindon

TOP STORIES

  • All
  • Wiltshire news
  • Wiltshire courts
Road near Tetbury blocked as emergency services attend crash
West Country news

Road near Tetbury blocked as emergency services attend crash

byDaniel Jae Webb
2 July 2025 | 2.48pm
0

...

Read moreDetails
Police seek van driver who may have witnessed crash in Swindon

Police seek van driver who may have witnessed crash in Swindon

3 July 2025 | 2.53pm
Two women arrested after man stabbed in Swindon house

Two women arrested after man stabbed in Swindon house

7 July 2025 | 7.59pm
Around 25 firefighters battle major blaze at house in Swindon

Around 25 firefighters battle major blaze at house in Swindon

4 July 2025 | 7.24pm
Probe launched as man, 20s, dies with serious injuries in Swindon

Detectives given more time to question Swindon murder suspect

3 July 2025 | 6.26pm
  • About us
  • Complaints
  • Contact us
  • Contributor terms
  • Privacy policy
Reporting reality.

All content © State Six News Limited, unless otherwise stated. All rights reserved. | Wiltshire 999s is a trading style of State Six News Limited. Company number: 16190242. | Registered company address: Suite A, 82 James Carter Road, Mildenhall, Suffolk, IP28 7DE.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • 999 News
  • Court News
  • West Country news
  • News near you
    • Swindon
    • Chippenham
    • Trowbridge
    • Find your area
  • Info & Help
    • Wiltshire Flood Warnings
    • Domestic abuse helplines
    • Mental health helplines
    • Court reporting
  • About & Contact
    • About us
    • Contact us
    • WhatsApp alerts
    • Contributor terms
    • Complaints
A TIP-OFF