THE shocking story of a vulnerable pensioner whose bank account was callously plundered by someone who was supposed to be caring for him is surely a sad indictment of our times.
In today's "must-have everything yesterday" society, Michael Swinfield-Swift, a young man of previously good character, got himself into debt after living beyond his means.
Rather than making good his debts by addressing his overspending and tightening his belt, he decided to take what he probably considered to be an easy option.
He took money out of the bank account of a 77-year-man whom he was supposed to be caring for.
His victim belongs to a generation of people who worked long and hard to pay for things they needed. They were brought up in a world where people saved up for the things they wanted (and we are not just talking luxury items) and did not buy something if they did not have the cash to pay for it.
How times have changed – and not for the better.
