A Nigerian who works as an administrator in a care facility in the United Kingdom was jailed for making unauthorised withdrawals from the savings of vulnerable patients in the facility.

According to the Evening Standard, 41-year-old Abiola Akinremi, has been jailed for seven months for stealing £19,650 from the residents of Bostall House in Abbey Wood, southeast London.

The media outlet said the mother of three started stealing from patients when she needed money for childcare, and continued to fund her lifestyle with the stolen funds.

Mrs Akinremi who pleaded guilty to three charges of fraud by abuse of position, had initially denying stealing money from the residents until trial began.

She admitted stealing £19,650 within eight months from three residents of the facility.

Judge Angela Rafferty KC told Mrs Akinremi that it was “repeated and planned course of conduct, and a very serious breach of trust of vulnerable people.”

Prosecutor Robert Levack said that the financial affairs of the patients are being looked after by the facility.

He said that the facility runs for 24-hour and residents are not allowed to leave Bostall House without a member of staff or a family member.

“People who live at the home are all vulnerable, they have various conditions and are detained under the Mental Health Act or other legislation. It is a 24-hour care facility,” Mr Levack said.

The administrator had insisted that her colleagues at the facility were trying to “pin the blame” on her.

The defendant’s legal counsel, Ranjeet Dulay, said “Ms Akinremi is only responsible for her own conduct” while pointing to evidence of money being taken from residents at times when Mrs Akinremi was dismissed.

Ms Dulay said the administrator took to fraud because she was suffering from depression and needed money for childcare.

“It was initially an opportunistic offence, but she continued to engage in it further,” the lawyer said.

She added that Mrs Akinremi worked with another care facility after she was dismissed from Bostall House, and has been “trying to make amends and put into the type of community that she stole from.”

The judge rejected a plea for a suspended prison sentence, concluding only an immediate spell behind bars would be appropriate.