A FORMER carer tried to steal £340 from a pensioner she had befriended whilst looking after.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Tracy Gallamore, 43, helped herself to a cheque belonging to the 84-year-old victim because her partner had lost his iob and they had a loan to repay.

Gallamore did not own up to what she had done and the victim had to attend court ready to give evidence before she pleaded guilty.

The defendant, a mother of one, had been caught after her colleagues at Spring Cottages saw the cheque, were suspicious and called in police after they asked Gallamore to explain and were not happy. The victim had been forgiving and did not want her to go to prison.

Gallamore, of Carholme Avenue, Burnley, had admitted fraud between last November and December. She was given 10 months in jail, suspended for two years, with 200 hours unpaid work. She had no previous convictions.

Sentencing, Judge Simon Newell told her the amount of money was small in terms of dishonesty, but the breach of trust was great.

He added: "The victim continues to show a very Christian spirit. It’s just a pity you did not mirror that spirit either before or since you tried to steal money from her."

Silvia Dacre, prosecuting, told the court the defendant had worked for Spring Cottages Care home, which also provided help for people in their own houses.

The victim had been a client for two years and when her contract with the firm finished Gallamore continued to visit her as a friend. On one of her visits, Gallamore took the opportunity to take a cheque from the woman's cheque book. She made it out to Provident Personal Credit and forged the victim's signature. The cheque was never passed, as Gallamore's colleagues were suspicious and no money was ever paid out.

Anthony Longworth, for Gallamore, said: "The defendant has been ostracised by her family and friends. They are disgusted at what she has done."