BBC News, Bristol
Nikola Penevski, the deputy manager of Rosedale House Care Home in Bristol, has been sentenced to 27 months in prison for defrauding an elderly resident of more than £40,000. The 35-year-old, residing on Walsh Avenue in Hengrove, admitted to abusing his position to make unauthorized withdrawals from the vulnerable victim’s bank account between January and December 2022.
The fraudulent activity came to light when the bank flagged Penevski’s suspicious transactions. He was arrested in January 2023 upon returning from a trip abroad at Heathrow Airport. The court heard that the victim, who passed away in March 2022, was particularly vulnerable and had no support network.
Det Con Daniel Britton of Avon and Somerset Police emphasized the breach of trust, stating, “Penevski was uniquely placed to fraudulently obtain tens of thousands of pounds.” He gained the victim’s trust before exploiting his vulnerability. Penevski had pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of position in June.