A CARE home worker stole £15,000 from her bosses but was only caught after sending a rude email.

Clare Greenwood, 30, even sailed through two audits without being rumbled before her email prompted her suspension from work and led her employers on a paper chase for missing cash.

Burnley Crown Court heard how care home administrator Greenwood, mother of a little boy, helped herself to cash over three years because she wanted some luxuries in life and got addicted to the extra money.

Her "mean" actions meant elderly residents of Hulton Care Home, Nelson, and their families were sent unjustified demands for payment.

Greenwood wiped away tears in the dock as a judge told her he had just been persuaded to suspend a jail term, rather then sending her down immediately.

Recorder Nigel Grundy told the defendant the offence was serious, a breach of trust and involved an element of sophistication and planning. He told her: "You ought to consider yourself very very lucky. Do not come back before the court again."

Greenwood, of Manor Street, Nelson, admitted theft between June 2002 and September 2005. She was given a 52 week prison term, suspended for two years, with 12 months supervision and 100 hours unpaid work. Greenwood must also pay £100 costs.

David Macro, prosecuting, said Greenwood started work at the home, now owned by Southern Cross Health Care, in August 1999.

She was responsible for collecting pensions on behalf of residents and also Giro cheques from residents' families as fees.

About last August the defendant was suspended over an inappropriate email and when the regional administrator arrived he found discrepancies and worrying amounts of money left hanging around. More than £500 was in a drawer and there was also some unidentified money in a safe. He started inquiries.

Greenwood was later arrested and interviewed and said at first she had only taken about £2,000. She had no previous convictions.

Hugh Barton, defending, described the case as extremely serious and particularly sad. Greenwood had struggled to come to terms with what she had done, Mr Barton said.

He added that Greenwood began to take money to buy treats as she was going through a difficult time and she was paying it back. She then began to take cash and not replace it.