Elderly woman felt ‘caught in spider’s web’ by live-in carer who ‘alienated’ her from friends
A carer who deliberately isolated a 94-year-old woman who felt “caught in a spider’s web” has been barred from her home by a top judge.
The bizarre case of “Miss G” came before the Court of Protection – the body which supervises the affairs of vulnerable individuals – after social workers expressed increasing concern about alleged manipulation by a couple who befriended her through her local church.
The couple, who moved into the elderly woman’s home to help cook and care for her, have now been barred from all “direct or indirect contact” with Miss G by Mr Justice Russell.
The judge said the pensioner remained a “dignified and independent-minded” woman despite her health declining in recent months.
He said the case was particularly awkward because Miss G has consistently said she wanted Redbridge Council and “other professionals” to leave her alone.
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And despite expressing repeated reservations about the couple’s conduct – particularly the woman – she remained adamant they continued living with her and providing for her care.
But this had to be set against her previous comments that the woman shouted at her, and she felt like she was “caught in a spider’s web, with the woman as the spider”.
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While her house was kept clean by the woman, the pensioner became cut off from her local church – some members of which “had become concerned that Miss G had fallen under the influence of (the woman)”.
“In June 2013 further concerns were raised regarding intimidation by her of Miss G and the management of Miss G’s finances,” the judge added.
Mr Justice Russell concluded by finding that the woman carer’s conduct had been “abusive, threatening and intimidating”, with her behaviour including repeated incidents of shouting which would be “distressing for a very old and very frail lady”.
The woman also deliberately tried to “alienate her” from friends and neighbours, said the judge, and “emotionally manipulated her by quite deliberately playing on her fears about losing her home and being placed in a care home”.
Concerns were also been expressed by a solicitor about Miss G wishing to change her will at her carer’s request.
Mr Justice Russell stripped away the power of attorney which previously gave the carer the right to manage Miss G’s affairs, barred the couple from her house and directed that they should no longer have any involvement in her life.
