FAMILIES are being warned to keep a close check on their elderly relatives' financial affairs after a court heard how a cruel care worker fleeced a frail pensioner out of more than £16,000.

Hard-hearted Jacqueline Falvey of Upper Gordon Road, Highcliffe, was jailed for a year after admitting six thefts and making and using forged cheques.

The mother-of-two asked for 70 similar offences to be taken into consideration spanning from February until July last year.

Her victim is unlikely to see any of her money back.

DC Symon Clarke of Christchurch CID, who spent a year investigating the scam, said: "These were despicable crimes against a vulnerable elderly lady, amounting to a serious breach of trust. It is one of the worst cases I have ever come across.

"Hopefully the sentence will send out a message to others who might be tempted to betray the trust of the elderly. I urge family members to be vigilant and keep an eye on what is going in and out of their relatives' bank accounts as well as who has access to their money."

Prosecuting at Bournemouth Crown Court, Megan Topliss recalled how Falvey, 42, had first been employed by 80-year-old Inga Dow at her Highcliffe flat, continuing to "care" for her at nursing homes in Highcliffe and New Milton.

"Mrs Dow trusted her completely and, as their friendship grew, she began to entrust her with managing her money and collecting cash for her," said Miss Topliss.

"She would give the defendant her chequebook and cash card but Mrs Dow says she did not give her the account's pin number."

The court heard how alarm bells had started ringing when Mrs Dow received a call from her bank on July 15 about "numerous unusual transactions" from her account.

"The statement showed a large number of £300 withdrawals from cashpoint machines," said Miss Topliss. "On the days unauthorised withdrawals took place the same, or similar, amounts were put into the defendant's account. The total involved was £16,384."

Defending Falvey, who received a two-year conditional discharge for benefit fraud five years ago, Graham Cooke said his client had large credit card debts and been advised to file for bankruptcy.

"There is no money left so sadly she can't pay it back," he added.

"It went into the pocket of the man who was her partner at the time to finance his drinking and drugs.

"This was not someone stealing money and enjoying it. There is no suggestion of expensive living - she was pressurised into doing it."

Sentencing Falvey, Recorder Douglas Field said: "The most significant feature of this case is the serious breach of trust. Here was an elderly lady who you befriended. She relied on you and trusted you.

"After forming a relationship with her you set about systematically stealing from her.

"You have been in a very unhappy, abusive relationship but I am afraid that the circumstances are so serious a custodial sentence is inevitable.

"This is a merciful outcome, much influenced by personal mitigation."

First published: August 22