Walsall care home boss stole £19k from resident

Paul Wehrle-Fellows, aged 47, was the manager of Crossways Residential Home on Highgate Road, Walsall, when he took cash intended for resident Brenda Rowlinson.

Over a two-and-a-half year period between July 2014 and January 2017, the fraudster, who lived at Westley Court, West Bromwich, took £19,298 intended for the resident and is now facing a crown court appearance.

He pleaded guilty yesterday at Walsall Magistrates Court to one count of fraud by abuse of position.

Speaking during the case, prosecutor Mr Roger Blezard said: “The defendant has abused his position as the manager of a care home to take money from a lady who is now 80 years of age.

“At the time she would have been in her late 70s.

“This amounts to a considerable breach of trust, there was a lot of money taken out of her account over this period and she did not receive all of it.

“This case should be sent straight to the crown court.”

Wehrle-Fellows spoke only to confirm his name during the short appearance at Walsall Magistrates.

Defence solicitor Mr Gregory Burke said: “This is obviously a breach of trust over a fairly long period.

“I have to agree that this case should be sent straight to the crown court.”

Crossways Residential Home, who did not want to comment, have since employed a new manager, Sue Foster.

Wehrle-Fellows, who now lives at Ribble Road, Blackpool, will appear at Wolverhampton Crown Court on August 11.

The former care home manager spoke only to confirm his name and plea in court and left after meeting probation officers.

Crossways offers residential care for elderly people or people living with dementia and is registered for a maximum of 23 residents.

The home was recently moved out of special measures by CQC inspectors following an inspection in April and is no longer rated inadequate having been bumped up to requires improvement.