An award-nominated care home manager told staff there was 'not a budget' to buy residents new underwear because she had stolen £55,000 from their accounts. Keeley Coleman used bank cards that belonged to two vulnerable residents and a 'pooled' card from seven others to buy a car, caravan and hot tub, Nottingham Crown Court heard. The 48-year-old took the cards from a locked safe inside The Old Vicarage, in Ollerton - a care home which supports residents on the autism spectrum, those with learning disabilities and other severe and complex needs.When a team leader at the home asked for access to residents' accounts to buy them essential items such as underwear, Ms Coleman said there was 'not a budget' for such purchases which led to residents 'relying on second-hand donations'.Jailing her for two years and seven months, Judge Philip Head said: 'You began working there in 2020 and starting almost immediately you took on the financial management of residents' money.'Over the next three years you stole £55,000 belonging to nine residents, £21,000 from one alone.'You used two company bank cards and two resident banks cards to withdraw cash allegedly for residents but you underdrew and pocketed the rest.. At times, when residents were in need, you would say they had insufficient funds in their accounts to meet their needs. Keeley Coleman used bank cards that belonged to two vulnerable residents and a 'pooled' card from seven others to buy a car, caravan and hot tub, Nottingham Crown Court heard'On occasions, that meant staff would bring in their own clothing for residents. You saw that and carried on anyway. You bought a new car for your daughter, a caravan and a hot tub for yourself.'I have read the pre-sentence report and it strikes me that (you are) minimising your offending significantly. There is need not greed and greed not need and you were boasting to staff about significant expenditure.'I accept your husband's business was in difficulties and the burden of the family had fallen on you. I accept your son also has a severe attachment issue to yourself.'After being arrested and questioned Ms Coleman said she stole the cash as she was 'in debt and struggling but never intended it to escalate in the way it did'.She pleaded guilty to three counts of fraud by abuse of position and once count of false accounting. Declan Smith, mitigating, said: 'In relation to her leaving the company, that was at a time when the investigation had not yet been carried out.'She entered guilty pleas on the first opportunity. Her son has neurodivergent issues and she is the full-time carer for him.'Just a month before the fraud was discovered then chief executive of Creative Care, Ian Coldrick, wrote in a company newsletter: 'I'm thrilled to share that one of our exceptional managers, Keeley Coleman, has been nominated and shortlisted in the "Care Home Manager" category at the prestigious Great British Care Awards.'This is a testament to the dedication and excellence that Keeley brings to The Old Vicarage, Ollerton and Creative Care.'Megan Morrison, prosecuting, said: 'In Oct 2023 the operations manager became suspicious and visited the care home and the defendant was there. Staff were spoken to and as a result of internal investigation she was spoken to.'A team leader at the home asked for access for personal residents' accounts to buy them items such as underwear and was told by the defendant they did not have the budget for such purchases. Staff also raised concerns about record-keeping.'She left her employment and after that it was discovered she had been taking large amounts of cash from the company and residents' accounts. She did provide a small amount of cash to residents but each time cash was withdrawn large amounts were kept for herself.'The value of the fraud has been calculated and it was £21,528..40 to one resident; £10,457.65 to another and the seven pooled residents' cards totalled £23,634.51. The total loss to the company in terms of business impact has been calculated overall to be £61,050.99.'The police examined her bank account and found that between July 2021 and December 2023, a total of £29,162 had been transferred in from these (residents') accounts. The monthly sums started off smaller and by the end ran into thousands.'In interview she accepted spending the money saying she was in debt and struggling but never intended it to escalate in the way it did.' In January, 2025, Creative Care was sold to the fellow care provider firm Consensus. Follwing sentence this week, a spokesperson said: 'There is nothing more important to us than protecting the interests of the people we support.'We have apologised to the people involved for this terrible breach of trust and we are close to concluding a process that will ensure they are fully reimbursed.'As soon as we were made aware of the situation, we immediately contacted the relevant authorities. We have worked closely with Nottinghamshire County Council and the police during their investigation.'We can confirm that the former member of staff has not worked at the service since October 2023. 'Additionally, we have undertaken a comprehensive review and strengthened our financial audting processes.'We are confident that we have the robust systems in place to ensure this will not happen again.'A Proceeds of Crime Act hearing, which could see the defendant stripped of cash and assets, will take place on November 21.