November 30, 2017 12.49 pm This story is over 76 months old

Schizophrenic victim financially exploited in Lincolnshire over six-year period

Harrowing case studies have been revealed.
The Director of Public Health has called for better communication with the LGBT community after a rise in hate crimes.

A schizophrenic Lincolnshire man fell victim to financial exploitation over a six-year period, a report into abuse in the county has revealed.

Harrowing case studies of 10 vulnerable people have been released after safeguarding officials admitted they could have done more to help these victims who were abused and forced to hand over money in a Lincolnshire town.

The report published by the Lincolnshire Safeguarding Adults Board (LSAB), relates to 34 vulnerable people who were victims of financial exploitation in the same market town in Lincolnshire, first reported in 2014.

The town has not been stated so as to keep victims anonymous.

One case specifically looks into a man in his early 40s named ‘Joe’. 

Joe was well known to mental health services and had been diagnosed with schizophrenia exacerbated by problematic drug use.

He also had a history of suicide attempts, dangerous impulsive acts and self-neglect.

Police knew of him due to his drug and alcohol abuse and also had a history of anti-social behaviour and domestic abuse offences.

In 2008, Joe first went to Lincolnshire agencies claiming he had been hit and kicked in the face as he owed money to a person.

However, there is no record of this being followed up.

In years that followed, Joe’s mental health records referred to a person taking money from him and him owing that same person money.

In March 2011, Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust contacted the Lincolnshire County Council Safeguarding Adults team to explain Joe’s situation.

From August 2011 to November 2014, several reports were made suggesting the same person had been taking money and medication from Joe.

This formed part of Lincolnshire Police’s Operation Dungeon, however Joe refused to make any complaints, stating this suspect was ‘a friend’.

No further action was taken.

Bosses admit more could have been done to help victims financially exploited in Lincolnshire town