Kelvin Ramasta, a nurse at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, has been sentenced to four years and six months in prison for the theft of more than £100,000 from elderly and vulnerable
patients. Described by police as an abuse of trust that was "nothing short of horrific," Ramasta admitted to three counts of theft at Peterborough Crown Court.
The 30-year-old, residing on Perne Road in Cambridge, exploited his position to carry out the thefts, which involved stealing cards, cheques, and utilizing victims' bank details. His actions were discovered when a bank flagged suspicious activity on his account, revealing transfers totaling £102,000 over a three-month period.
Further investigation uncovered additional instances of theft, including the opening of a bank account in the name of a 76-year-old patient while Ramasta was employed at Addenbrooke's Hospital. Disturbingly, the victim, who suffered from dementia, was unaware of the situation due to his condition.
Reports of missing bank cards and cheques from other patients surfaced, including a 74-year-old woman with Alzheimer's, who passed away shortly after discharge. Ramasta attempted to cash one of her cheques while suspended from work, forging her signature despite her incapacitation.
Another victim, an 85-year-old woman described as extremely vulnerable, had her bank cards stolen and used by Ramasta. These incidents deeply affected the victims and their families, with one daughter expressing how her faith in hospital staff was shattered upon learning of the betrayal.
Detective Constable Mark Andrews condemned Ramasta's actions, highlighting the profound impact on the victims and their loved ones. He emphasized that targeting vulnerable patients under his care constituted a grave breach of trust.
Acknowledging the severity of the crimes, a spokesperson for Cambridge University Hospitals issued a heartfelt apology to all affected parties. Assuring that patient safety and care remain paramount, they affirmed collaboration with law enforcement to address the matter promptly.
Ramasta's callous exploitation of vulnerable individuals underscores the importance of vigilance in safeguarding the well-being of patients, particularly those who may be more susceptible to exploitation. Photo by D Dinneen at English Wikipedia.