A care worker who stole £7,200 from a vulnerable woman and blew it during a luxury holiday in Mexico was caught when her husband heard her talking in her sleep about money.

Ruth Fort (47), a Lancashire woman, stole money from a wheelchair-bound, vulnerable woman, while she was working in a care home.

Antony, her husband of 61 years, was suspicious when Fort started to spend cash on family vacations to Mexico. One month later, Antony was awakened by his wife speaking in her sleep and discovered a debit card belonging to the resident at the care home in her purse.

He reported her to the police and Fort appeared before Preston Crown Court in February 2021 where she admitted to stealing £7,200 and was handed a suspended jail sentence of 16 months, with conditions including attending drug rehabilitation sessions. 

Fort was sentenced to a suspended prison term and appeared in Liverpool Crown Court.  

Antony, father-of-three says that he had suspicions about Ruth’s excessive spending when she began. This was more instinctive than anything at the beginning. However, when she found her debit card in her purse I knew. It was heartbreaking.

Ruth Fort, 47,  (pictured) stole £7,200 from a vulnerable and wheelchair-bound woman while working at a care home

Ruth Fort, 47,  (pictured) stole £7,200 from a vulnerable and wheelchair-bound woman while working at a care home

Her husband, Antony, 61, (pictured) became suspicious after Fort began splurging cash on a family holiday to Mexico

Antony, her husband (pictured), became suspicious of Fort’s spending sprees on their family trip to Mexico.

“I was deeply in love with Ruth, but it was impossible to ignore the things she did.” It was disgusting to me that she would steal from someone vulnerable, and so I decided to file a report.

Antony (61), a microbiologist met Fort while he was at Liverpool University. The two fell in love because of a common passion for music and began to date in May 2008.

He said, “We attended gigs and did lots of walking.” They were so happy together.

The couple moved into a shared apartment in Fleetwood in Lancashire and got married New Year’s Eve 2010. However, their marriage was fraught with problems.

They moved back home to Lancashire, where Fort continued running and became a fitness instructor. Fort also found part-time employment as a caregiver. Antony was encouraged by the fact that they had overcome their troubles. 

Antony, 61, a microbiologist, met Ruth whilst he was studying at Liverpool university. They moved in together in Fleetwood, Lancashire, and were married on New Year's Eve 2010. The couple are pictured on their wedding day

Antony (61), a microbiologist met Ruth while he was at Liverpool University. They were married in Fleetwood (Lancashire) on New Years Eve 2010. Pictured are the couple on their wedding day 

Antony said: “One night in August 2018, Ruth picked me up from work, and she informed me that she had taken one of her care home residents shopping the previous day.

‘She said the lady, who was in a wheelchair, had £98,000 in her bank account. The way she spoke made me feel so sad. Ruth had to have the pin number and card, I realized.

It was over, and I started worrying even though it wasn’t necessary. It was instinct.

Antony booked their family vacation to Mexico in November 2018 and Fort spent the money.

Antony says that Ruth had booked many vacations. She spent so much. She claimed that she had been given a thousand pounds by her relatives. She claimed that she had received a thousand pounds from relatives. I was unsure if this is true.

Anthony, pictured with Fort before discovering her crime, said he 'loved Ruth deeply, but I could not ignore what she had done'

Anthony is pictured here with Fort shortly before learning of her crime. 

Fort was diagnosed with epilepsy in December 2018. She took leave from work. Antony was soon woken up by Fort incoherently speaking in her sleep the night after. He found her purse on the floor beside her, with four or five £20 notes falling out.

Antony opened his purse and saw a debit card belonging to the resident of the care home he was looking after.

He reports that Ruth was murmuring about money, and I woke to see the purse with a few coins missing on the floor. The debit card was in my purse when I got up and put it back.

“I felt completely sickened when it all came together. It was unbelievable. Ruth was able to wake up when I approached her and told her everything. I advised Ruth to get her things packed and move on. Although I was deeply in love with her, it was hard to believe that I could not help but report her.

Antony was taken to police by late December 2018. Fort was soon arrested. She was seen in Preston Crown Court on February 20, 2021.

Antony states that the public exposure of this case caused resentment in his village. It really hurt my family. I did the right thing, and I was judged as Ruth.

Late in December 2018, Antony went to the police and Fort was arrested soon after. She appeared before Preston Crown Court in February 2021

Antony was taken to police in late December 2018. Fort was soon arrested. In February 2021, she appeared in Preston Crown Court.

Ruth Fort appeared before Preston Crown Court in February 2021 and admitted stealing £7,200.

A court found out that she preyed on the victim for two months.

The sentence she received was suspended for 16 months and included drug rehabilitation classes.

Antony was praised by the judge for his “commendable” actions. He said that it must have been very hard to accomplish.

Fort said that she was tempted to succumb to greed. Fort should feel ashamed.

Fort, who had violated her suspended sentence and failed to attend drug rehabilitation sessions twice as well as missing a meeting for probation with her officer, appeared in Liverpool Crown Court this month.

Fort admitted that she had violated her suspension sentence. The judge granted Fort one final chance.

He placed a 6-week curfew from 7am to 7pm on her schedule and advised that she would likely be sent to jail if she violates the orders.

Antony said that her anger is now subsided and she wants to be helped. It feels like the system is failing us.