A woman who stole more than £33,000 from an elderly lady she was employed to care for has today been jailed for 18 months.

Linda Greenacre worked as a carer for the 90-year-old woman in King’s Lynn and stole over £33,000 in cash and self-written cheques.

Over a period of 21 months, between March 10, 2012, and January 1, 2014, Greenacre slowly stole the money – making about 36 trips to ATM machines using the victim’s bank card to withdraw cash and forging 64 cheques for varying amounts made out to herself.

Greenacre’s deceit was uncovered when the victim, who is physically frail and relies on carers to assist her on daily basis, received a letter from her bank stating that her account was overdrawn.

Greenacre had been the woman’s carer for more than six years.

Greenacre, 54, of Lady Jane Grey Road, King’s Lynn, was charged with theft of £7,000 in cash between December 2, 2012, and November 24, 2013, and the forgery of several cheques valued at £26,300 between March 10, 2012, and January 1, 2014.

Today at Norwich Crown Court she pleaded guilty to these offences and was sentenced to 18 months in prison.

Det Con Bridget Milne, of the Adult Abuse Investigation Unit, said: “This theft took place over a prolonged period and saw Linda Greenacre take advantage of an elderly lady whom she was trusted to care for.

“Her actions were calculated, deceitful and purely for her own personal gain. The majority of the money stolen was spent on jewellery.

“Over and above the financial impact of her crime is the emotional distress caused to this vulnerable and trusting elderly lady who had known Greenacre for over six years.

“The Adult Abuse Investigation Unit unfortunately does see abuse of trust incidents such as this on a regular basis. We will stand up for those vulnerable people who suffer abuse whether it is financial, physical, or even psychological.”