AN Ellesmere Port woman who stole £500 from a vulnerable woman she was looking after has been spared an immediate jail term.

Joanne Lightfoot, 40, of Fleet Street, pleaded guilty at Chester Magistrates Court on Friday, March 8, to stealing cash from her victim, who is in her mid 60s.

Chair of magistrates Clive Mason slammed the crime as "an appalling breach of trust" as Lightfoot was handed a six-month suspended prison sentence.

Prosecuting, Rob Youds said Lightfoot had been the victim's carer when employed by Jane Care initially but, because of the relationship of trust, the victim had employed her privately.

The relationship was very good and Lightfoot became a friend, helping out with housework even when that was not expected of her.

But in October 2018, the victim noticed £200 had gone from her safe.

Another £100 had gone missing on December 22 and a further £100 had gone missing on February 2, 2019.

A CCTV camera was installed in the room where the safe was kept and the serial notes of money placed in the safe were recorded.

After Lightfoot had been to visit the home, £100 was missing from the safe and the footage was reviewed which identified Lightfoot as the culprit.

The victim said the whole incident made her feel sick and vulnerable and left her devastated, adding she was scared to leave her home now.

Police attended and money found in Lightfoot's vehicle matched that taken from the safe.

Lightfoot made no comment in interviews but had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity to the offence.

A probation report heard Lightfoot was a single mum to three children, two of them dependent, and she had got into financial difficulties.

But instead of rearranging her financial outgoings, such as spending money on her daughter's car finance and maintaining a Netflix subscription, she stole to supplement her income, the court heard.

Custody would have a significant effect on her children and she would lose her accommodation as a result.

Defending, Scott McCrimmon said rehabilitation work could be done.

Lightfoot had been in the care industry since 2005 and worked for three care agencies, and had not been in trouble since 1997.

Her career now lay in tatters, Mr McCrimmon told the court, and she was now claiming benefits, having resigned from Jane Care to save the firm further embarrassment – the company was fully aware of the investigation when it came to light.

Sentencing, chair of magistrates Clive Mason told Lightfoot: "This is an appalling breach of trust on a vulnerable woman who has come to rely on you for a considerable period. We have listened with some sadness to her statement."

The six-month suspended prison sentence is suspended for two years. Lightfoot must complete 20 days of a rehabilitation activity requirement, complete 100 hours unpaid work and pay £600 compensation to the victim.

No order for court costs was made, as Mr Mason added: "It's essential that this compensation is paid. It was an appalling time for her."