WhatsUp Fraud

Matt Gazy Hornsby Advocate

A support worker on Sydney’s northern beaches defrauded thousands of dollars from vulnerable disabled clients he was entrusted to care for. In court, his solicitor described him as “broken”.

A community support worker entrusted to care for people with intellectual disabilities defrauded thousands of dollars from them while helping them withdraw money and make crucial purchases, a court has heard.

Richard Farrell, 32, pleaded guilty to dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage by deception and faced Hornsby Local Court.

Facts state in October 2019, Farrell was provided Westpac bank cards to help disabled people withdraw and make crucial purchases, such as medication, as part of his employment with Sunnyfield Intellectual Disability Support Services in Frenchs Forest.

Part of his role was to record expenditures on a spreadsheet.

In June 2021, Farrell quit and returned the bank cards – and his replacement soon found the spreadsheets had not been updated and a total of $5012.15 was left unaccounted for.

On three occasions, Farrell had the chance to attend a meeting to return the money, but he did not appear on any occasion.

This led the manager at Sunnyfield Intellectual Disability Support Services to report the matter to police.

According to facts, the St Ives man made 9 transactions for the 5 victims at various ATMs across Sydney.

Prosecutor Denise Vavayis said Farrell had abused his “position of power”, taking advantage of his position with particularly vulnerable victims.

The court heard Farrell had suffered after a break up and began turning to alcohol when the offending occurred.

Magistrate Alexander Mijovich said it was a conscious decision and spanned over a period of time. “He knew well what he was doing,” Mr Mijovich said.

The court heard Farrell also suffered poor mental health. Solicitor Ms Nelson said the drinking did not cause the behaviour, but instead motivated it.

“He was taking money to fuel his alcoholism,” Ms Nelson said.

Ms Nelson said Farrell was “one of the most broken clients” she had represented in her career.

“He needs treatment – locking him up won’t fix the problem,” Ms Nelson said.

Ms Nelson said Farrell’s alcoholism acted as a coping mechanism.

“He’s had some trauma and spiralled down,” she said.

The court heard Farrell started taking money following his break-up, but “never thought it would get to the stage it did”.

“He’s remorseful and embarrassed about it but feels better since he got help,” Ms Nelson said.

Mr Mijovich said Farrell had breached a level of trust in the community.

“People funding charities are now out of pocket,” Mr Mijovich said.

Farrell’s criminal history consisted of alcohol matters but nothing of a similar nature.