A CARER who stole more than £18,000 from two men with learning disabilities has been jailed for 16 months.

Father-of-two John Willis had run up debts and was living beyond his means when he began using cash cards belonging to two residents at an independent living home in Prestwich.

Willis left his job in 2013, but two years later, the thefts were discovered during an audit and three of his colleagues were suspended while investigations were carried out.

Bolton Crown Court heard how 41-year-old Willis initially made no comment when interviewed by police, who had learned that many of the cash withdrawals had been made near his home, but then admitted his guilt.

Roger Brown, prosecuting, told the court how Willis had worked for Langdon, an organisation which helps young adults with learning difficulties to lead independent lives, since 2003 and in 2007 he was appointed as a senior carer, one of five people responsible for helping three residents living at a house in Prestwich.

Staff would use cash cards to withdraw small sums the residents needed from their bank accounts.

But between January, 2010, and October, 2013, Willis repeatedly helped himself to money belonging to two male residents, stealing a total of £5,000 from one man and £13,690 from another.

He told police that he had initially taken the money because he was £6,000 in debt, but had continued taking the cash, using it to travel around the country and to buy drink.

Willis, of Bradley Drive, Unsworth, pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud and two charges of theft.

Colin Buckle, defending, stressed that the victims are not aware of the crimes against them and Willis wept in the dock as the court was told how his parents-in-law have used their own savings to replace the stolen money.

Mr Buckle said Willis was the primary carer for his young children whilst his wife worked as a teacher.

“He was living beyond his means and hadn’t told his wife. He was in a mess,” said Mr Buckle.

“He has to sit in the dock with the ultimate disgrace of these proceedings against him.”

Sentencing Willis to 16 months in jail, Recorder Paul Reid QC told him: “The offence, to put it bluntly, was committed out of greed.

“This is a particularly bad breach of trust. Your sole reason for being employed there was to care for these disadvantaged people. You failed them.”