Care workers deny defrauding elderly couple

Three care workers have denied conspiring to steal money from an elderly couple they were looking after.

Ellie Bayliss, 29, Amanda Markwick, 28, and Louise Davies, 52, appeared at Wolverhampton Crown Court to answer the charges.

The case, brought by Dudley Trading Standards, concerns the women's dealings with Michael and Valerie Garbett, who were married for 60 years and have both since died.

After entering their pleas, the three women, who are all on police bail, were given a provisional trial date of 9 April 2029.

Bayliss, Markwick and Davies denied charges of conspiring to steal from the couple between October 2019 and July 2024.

The women also denied acquiring money belonging to the pair which they knew to be criminal property obtained through of dishonesty.

In addition, Bayliss and Davies pleaded not guilty to a charge of fraud related to the expectation care workers should safeguard the financial interest of their charges, the court heard.

Markwick also denied aiding and abetting an offence against the fraud act carried out by Bayliss, in particular "dishonestly abusing the position of care workers who are expected to safeguard".

His Honour Judge S Ward told the defendants: "I'm sorry the trial is years away. It's because you're on bail. That's why I'm afraid we have to wait till 2029."

Michael Garbett died in July 2021 and his wife in Dec 2023, Dudley Trading Standards said.

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