A CARER who stole nearly �10,000 from an elderly neighbour by cashing in fraudulent cheques and using her bank card is due to be sentenced this month.

Beverley Janet Elizabeth Chabot, of Ramsey Road, St Ives, was warned she could be jailed after she plundered 79-year-old Nora Anderson’s savings on a daily basis for more than two months, using the proceeds to buy a new moped and go on a spending spree with a shopping website.

Chabot admitted stealing �2,540 in cheques through false representation and �7,320.75 in cash withdrawals from Mrs Anderson’s bank account, when she appeared at Huntingdon Magistrates’ Court last month.

The 37-year-old had been a carer for Mrs Anderson on a privately-funded basis.

Although at the time of the offences she was not working for Mrs Anderson, she visited the pensioner, who was described as ‘very vulnerable’ and suffering from memory problems, every day.

When asked about the visits, Mrs Anderson defended Chabot, saying she was just being friendly, but suspicions were aroused when Mrs Anderson’s bank card went missing.

Magistrates declined jurisdiction at the hearing on December 1 – they can only impose a maximum prison sentence of 12 months.

Chabot is due to be sentenced on January 25 at Huntingdon Crown Court. She was awarded bail on condition she does not contact Mrs Anderson or her sons, or visit Mrs Anderson’s home address or the Cheers off-licence,