Skip to content

Theft victim urges 'Richard's law' to vet carers

Marcus White
BBC News, South of England
Louise Woollam Louise Woollam smiles broadly at the camera, while her husband Richard leans on her with his eyes closed. Both wear red tops and are pictured next to a red anniversary-style balloon and a wall decorated with images of red roses. Richard, who is taller, is balding with unkempt grey-brown hair. Louise has red roses in her shoulder-length blonde hair with a fringe.Louise Woollam
Louise Woollam employed a home carer for her husband Richard who has Alzheimer's

A woman has urged tougher vetting for care workers after her husband's carer stole jewellery and cash from their home.

Rachel Goodman, 54, from Yeovil, who had a similar previous conviction, was handed a 12-month suspended sentence by Weymouth magistrates.

Louise Woollam, from Shillingstone, Dorset, said a basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check did not reveal Goodman's criminal past.

Her MP has sent her campaign for "Richard's law" to the government, which has been approached by the BBC for comment.

Police recovered a 250-year-old stolen necklace and currency from Goodman's home in 2024, the court heard.

But Mrs Woollam's gold and diamond engagement ring, inherited from her mother, as well as silver earrings from her husband and other items were never found.

In a victim personal statement read by a prosecutor, she said Goodman was a "callous predator who deliberately seeks out vulnerable victims".

She added: "No-one else should be left to feel so violated and betrayed because of her actions."

Rachel Goodman walks in front of the court, carrying a suitcase and wearing a cap which partially hides her face. She has long, straight, dark hair and wears a pink top and black trousers or leggings.
Rachel Goodman "wrecked Mrs Woollam's life", magistrates said

Goodman was given a suspended sentence for a similar offence in 2010, the court heard.

However, Mrs Woollam said a basic DBS check failed to reveal the carer's three previous convictions for theft and obtaining property by deception.

She said she had lost her trust in home carers and had been forced to make the "heartbreaking" decision to place her husband, who has advanced Alzheimer's, in a residential home.

Magistrates told Goodman: "You have wrecked Mrs Woollam's life. Her trust and peace of mind have gone."

They imposed a jail sentence suspended for two years, 12 rehabilitation days, 200 hours of unpaid work and a two-year restraining order.

The defendant was also ordered to pay Mrs Woollam £1,000 and another £272 to the court.

Louise Woollam A younger Richard and Louise Woollam are sitting on a sofa. He has short grey-brown hair and a pilot's uniform. She has blonde hair in a fringe and wears the red uniform of an airline's cabin crew.Louise Woollam
Mrs Woollam said the crime had forced her to place her husband in a residential home

In a letter to her MP Simon Hoare, Mrs Woollam said: "People living with dementia are among the most vulnerable in society.

"Despite this there is currently no legal requirement for private carers to be qualified or registered.

"Convictions for theft from vulnerable adults may not appear on basic DBS checks.

"Just as we would not leave our three year old with an unvetted, unregulated carer, we should not be in the position where the necessity of finding home care for a vulnerable loved one, leaves us open to thieves, fraudsters and abusers."

She said "Richard's Law" would bring England up to the same standards that exist in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.

The MP replied: "I have written to the Department for Social Care and the Department for Local Communities to share your devastating story and your campaign."

You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.

See also
Related link