Heartless fraudster who preyed on vulnerable hospital patients in Peterborough jailed

June Weatherman, 56, was jailed for seven years in 2014 after she was convicted of stealing bank cards from elderly hospital patients and fraudulently spending thousands of pounds on them.

Following her release from prison Weatherman again targeted vulnerable hospital patients.

In September 2018, Weatherman sneaked into a room at Peterborough City Hospital and stole a bank card belonging to bed ridden 91-year-old Mary Banks.

She spent more than £10,000 on Mary’s bank card, withdrawing cash from ATMs before visiting McDonalds, JD Sports and B&Q.

It wasn’t until the following month that her crimes were uncovered when the victim’s son went through her bank statements after she had passed away.

Investigations revealed Weatherman was responsible for the theft and fraud, as well as a number of similar offences in Norwich, York, Worcester, Kent and Sussex.

In November 2018 Weatherman claimed she was a nurse to two patients, both women in their 60s, at Worcester Royal Hospital.

One of the women asked her to leave her room and cancelled her bank cards when she realised they were missing while the other had jewellery and her purse, containing bank cards and £30 cash, stolen.

A nation-wide hunt for Weatherman was launched in November 2018 and six months later she was found at a caravan park in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.

Weatherman, of no fixed abode, was jailed at Huntingdon Law Courts today (November 27) after she stood trial earlier this month and was found guilty of nine counts of theft and five counts of fraud.

Sergeant Lewis Busby, who investigated, said: “Weatherman is a relentless and heartless offender who has shown no remorse for her crimes.

“She repeatedly targeted vulnerable adults in what can only be described as the most immoral of crimes.

“This was a long and complex investigation, involving officers from seven different forces. I am incredibly pleased with today’s result and I hope it offers some closure to the victims and their families.

“My thanks go out to everyone who helped secure Weatherman’s conviction, including the Crown Prosecution Service and the barrister representing the prosecution.”

Helen Harmeston, Senior Crown Prosecutor of the CPS said: “June Weatherman ruthlessly preyed on hospital patients across the country, stealing money and bank cards and subsequently exploiting them for her own selfish gain.

“The CPS is committed to securing justice, we have policies in place to provide specialist guidance to prosecutors in cases involving those who are targeted because of their age, illness, disability or other perceived vulnerability.”