deafPLUS SUPPORTS PENSIONER TO RECOVER STOLEN CASH
Vulnerable pensioner put her trust in the cashier
A Post Office cashier in Ealing has been jailed for stealing over £20,000 from a deaf customer who trusted her to assist with banking arrangements.
Jeyaruban Sivayokini, age 37 of Randolph Road, Southall appeared at Isleworth Crown Court last week for her trial, during which she declined to give evidence.
She was unanimously found guilty of theft by the jury and sentenced to three years' imprisonment.
The court ordered a confiscation enquiry to establish what assets she has that can be used to recover the stolen monies. Sivayokini will be required to repay the amount stolen from any assets she owns or serve a further sentence of imprisonment if she fails to pay within the specified time.
In 2010 the victim, a vulnerable deaf lady aged in her 60s, received weekly payments from the Dept of Work and Pensions and withdrew £130 from her local Post Office in Ealing every Monday using her account card and PIN number.
Due to her communication difficulties, the victim preferred to deal with one particular cashier at the Post Office - the defendant. Over time, the victim came to trust Sivayokini and it is believed that she left the account card with her. It is also believed that she had also given her PIN to Sivayokini or the number had been compromised by other means.
Police were alerted to the thefts in July 2010 by a deafPlus care worker after it was discovered that an £18,000 back-dated pension payment made in April 2010 had been withdrawn from the account.
Financial analysis of the accounts indicated that £22,194.69 had been stolen from the victim between 8th February 2010 and 19th July 2010. During this period, nearly £13,500 was paid into bank accounts held by Sivayokini, over and above the legitimate earnings of both her and her husband.
Sivayokini was subsequently arrested on 19th July 2010.
PC Bowman from Ealing Police said: 'I am very grateful to the deafPLUS charity for their assistance and for supporting the victim and making this investigation possible.
"The MPS is committed to providing vulnerable and disadvantaged members of the community with appropriate representation in the criminal justice system, and I am pleased with the outcome of this case. Anyone who thinks that they can take advantage of the vulnerable and get away with it had better think again."
The circumstances of this case also highlights that people need to take great care with their benefit payment cards and PIN details. The cards and PIN details are issued on the understanding that they remain secure. By disclosing the details to a third party, if your account becomes compromised and money goes missing, the card issuer will not be liable for your losses. Never disclose your PIN details to anyone else.
5th March 2012
Sunday afternoon, the perfect time for a cuppa
Generous friends of deafPLUS helped launch the Charity’s 40th Birthday fundraising appeal by hosting the very first Big 4Tea party!
Pirbright Golf Course in Surrey played host to the lazy Sunday afternoon gathering of 33 local supporters and volunteers on 20 March 2011, who between eating cake and slurping tea managed to raise an impressive £212.65 in donations. Well done everyone!
More Big 4Tea events have taken place at our Centres across England.
A special Big 4Tea Dance for 25 visually impaired people in Bath raised £34 while a relaxing massage (and cake!) evening for Deaf people raised over £40.
Birmingham’s Big 4Tea party attracted old and young supporters of deafPLUS alike and raised £23 to add to the party pot!
East Acton Centre raised £250 from their Big 4Tea party! An Easter quiz was created and much enjoyed by everyone who attended.
Whitechapel Centre rasied £72 from their Big 4Tea party in April!
Thank you to everyone who attended our Big 4Tea parties.
Low Vision Day sheds light on local services
A recent Low Vision Information Day in Bath, aimed at providing information and assistance to anyone encountering sight loss, attracted over 80 people.
The emphasis was on solutions and making every-day life that little bit easier and included seminars on ‘Making the Most of Lighting’, ‘What to expect at a Low Vision assessment’ and ‘Eccentric Viewing and Steady Eye Technique’ which was attended by service users and professionals alike.
The event has received some very positive feedback and we have been so encouraged by the response of service users and professionals alike that we hold a similar event towards the end of the current year.
Keep an eye on our Bath Centre page for more details.
Thank you to our exhibitors: Hearing and Vision Team, RNIB, Hospital Eye Clinic Ophthalmologist and Orthoptist, Torch Trust, The Pension Service, Shaw Trust, Optima and Library Services.
