Scottish Dental Worker Struck Off GDC Register for Embezzling £70,000 from Elderly Aunt

UK: Kerry Sinclair, a former dental nurse in Edinburgh, has been removed from the General Dental Council (GDC) register after embezzling over £70,000 from her elderly aunt, Jessie Sutherland. Sinclair, 41, took control of her aunt’s financial affairs, who was battling dementia, under the guise of managing care home fees. This betrayal was discovered when the care home payments became delinquent, prompting a local authority investigation.

Fraudulent Actions and Legal Consequences

Sinclair arranged the sale of her aunt’s home to cover care costs but ended up stealing thousands from Ms. Sutherland’s bank account. In February 2023, she pleaded guilty to embezzling £71,425.63 between 2017 and 2019. Despite escaping jail, Sinclair was sentenced to 300 hours of unpaid work, electronic tagging, and a curfew. Additionally, she was ordered to pay £300 per month as compensation for the next five years.

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Following the court case, Sinclair’s professional conduct was scrutinized by the GDC. In a recent hearing, the GDC barred Sinclair, also known as Kerry Smith, from practicing in the dental profession. The GDC cited her conviction for deception and a fundamental breach of trust in a caring relationship. The committee emphasized that her actions were incompatible with the standards expected of dental professionals, displaying a serious departure from honesty and integrity.

Legal Proceedings and Missing Defendant

Sinclair, also known as Kerry Smith, failed to attend the disciplinary hearing and provided no evidence. The court heard that Mrs. Sutherland’s care home fees were eventually covered by the local authority, and she passed away in December 2021.

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During the court proceedings, Sheriff Wendy Sheehan acknowledged Sinclair’s care for her aunt but emphasized the severity of the crime, involving a substantial amount of money. The sheriff narrowly considered an alternative to custody, noting Sinclair’s guilty plea, lack of previous offenses, and positive employer reference.

In light of this case, it raises questions about the vulnerability of elderly individuals and the importance of safeguarding financial transactions, even within familial relationships.