A FORMER home help from Accrington who emptied a pensioner's bank account in a 'despicable' theft has been jailed for 21 months.

Mother-of-three Kelly Cobb, 29, helped herself to £6,300 belonging to 82-year-old Alfred Whittaker after he went into a care home.

Cobb had at first befriended the victim and looked after him, but then started withdrawing all his money and treating herself and her children.

She also opened catalogue and mobile phone accounts using his details, Burnley Crown Court heard.

Mr Whittaker had been left without means to pay for his care home fees and it was not known if the bank had reimbursed him for his losses. His health was said to have now deteriorated.

Cobb, of Royds Street, Accrington, admitted theft of £6,330 and two counts of fraud, between May 2008 and August last year.

Sentencing, Judge Beverley Lunt said: "Offences this despicable, this pre-meditated and this determined must result in an immediate custodial sentence."

On the impact on the victim, Judge Lunt said: "His future is uncertain.

"He has care home fees and I am not surprised his health has deteriorated.

"At a time when he should be in peace, he is in turmoil and anxiety."

Sarah Statham, prosecuting, said Cobb resigned from the company she worked for 2006, but continued to be Mr Whittaker's home help.

The victim, who had lived in Accrington, became ill in 2008, was in hospital a short time and because he had no close family, the defendant acted to all intents and purposed as his next to kin.

She helped him move into Brayside Nursing Home and dealt with his former home, which was council accommodation.

Miss Statham said the offences came to light when Mr Whittaker, who only spent money on newspapers and sweets, tried to buy a watch by mail order but the cheque bounced.

Cobb had no previous convictions.

Charlotte Holland, for Cobb, said she would be the first to accept the offences were despicable and she was genuinely sorry.