Rescue dog named in £46k fraud victim's memory

A rescue dog has been named after a man who had money stolen from him by a care home employee.

Nikola Penevski, 35, from Bristol, pleaded guilty to 'fraud by abuse of position' and was sentenced to two years and three months in prison.

Paul Chandler, 83, a resident at the city's Rosedale House Care Home, was one of Penevski's victims - he took more than £46,000 from Mr Chandler's bank account and paid it into his own.

Mr Chandler died before the court's ruling and, with no next of kin, his funds were donated to the RSPCA and Bristol Animal Rescue Centre (BARC), which has now named a rescue dog after him.

A spokesperson from Bristol ARC charity said: "We are so grateful to those like Mr Chandler for their generosity, as well as the Financial Investigation Unit for ensuring his wishes were fulfilled."

A third of the donations will go to the RSPCA and two thirds to the Bristol ARC.

A spokesperson from Bristol ARC added: "Mr. Chandler's legacy donation will be a lasting support for thousands of animals that come into our care, and we hope it inspires others to consider leaving a gift in their will to support animals in need."

The rescue dog, Mr Chandler, is a Yorkshire Terrier and staff say he is already proving to be popular in the shelter.

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