A care home manager with gambling and alcohol addictions stole £30,000 from two residents. Paul Blinkhorn used their debit cards to help himself to their funds. He later handed himself in to police after a relative noticed his brother's bank balance had dropped significantly.
Blinkhorn had worked at the Seabrook House care home in Exeter for 18 years. He admitted two charges of fraud by abuse of position between January 2023 and September 2024.
Exeter magistrates court heard that Blinkhorn, of Parkland Drive, Exeter, said his gambling and alcohol addictions, along with a split in a long-term relationship, had triggered the frauds against two male residents.
Blinkhorn told the court he had sold his property and paid back the money. He said: "What I did was completely abhorrent. I have pretty much lost everything." He also said he had been £48,000 in debt and still has his gambling addiction.
Blinkhorn was given a 12-month suspended sentence. He must complete 120 hours of unpaid work and 25 rehabilitation days with probation. No compensation was ordered because he has already repaid the money.
Exeter Care Home Manager Stole £30k from Residents for Gambling