A former carer who stole more than £45,000 from an elderly man he was looking after has been jailed.

Ablie Mohammed Bah, 49, of Knights Hill, West Norwood, pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud by false representation at Kingston Crown Court on Monday, May 8.

He was sentenced to three and half years’ imprisonment at the same court on Wednesday, May 31.

Bah was a home carer for the victim - now 88 - who lived in West Ealing and employed an independent care provider.

The victim needed help with tasks such as washing, cooking, laundry, shopping and getting around.

Police first noticed the fraud in November 2015 when staff at a bank in West Ealing reported suspicious transactions made from the elderly victim’s account.

After being unable to withdraw cash, the victim was told by bank staff that a large amount of money had been withdrawn from his account.

Bah was present during the exchange but left before police arrived. He was originally treated as a witness and told detectives the victim suffered dementia and was confused.

After obtaining the victim’s account statements, police found a large number of cash withdrawals made between June 19 and November 19.

In total, £34,330 had been taken out via cash points, £5,944.94 had been spent in card purchases at clothes and food shops, and £5,000 in cheques were paid out to Bah.

The fraudster was arrested on December 15, 2015. Officers found items bought with the victim’s card and receipts.

Bah’s bank account also showed a significant increase in deposits when the fraud was taking place.

Detective Constable Ben Robinson, of Ealing Borough, said: “Bah took advantage of his victim's frailty and dependency and exploited the trust placed in him by deviously obtaining his bank card and plundering his bank account.

“He used the card whenever he pleased, buying clothes and expensive watches, and withdrawing large sums of cash to top up his own bank balance over five months of free spending.

“I am pleased that Bah will now spend time behind bars to reflect on his actions.

“The victim is still distraught about the fraud and this abuse of trust, and I hope he can now start to put this behind him.”