A CARER is accused of stealing money and jewellery of sentimental value during home visits to elderly clients.

Linda Nobbs was paid to assist sometimes frail and infirm householders while working for Community and Home Care Services (CHCS) in the Teesside area, last year.

Durham Crown Court heard that concern first arose when one of her clients was preparing for a birthday lunch and could not find a snap box containing valuable rings and other heirloom jewellery.

When it was brought to the attention of her family several further items of jewellery were also reported to have gone missing, but the client was initially reluctant to trouble police.

Rachel Masters, prosecuting, said a second client could not find her £242 pension money, left on a shelving unit at her flat by her niece, during a visit by Mrs Nobbs, in July, 2011.

On her next visit she was confronted by the suspicious client, who had seen Mrs Nobbs standing next to the unit when she entered the room.

CHCS was also informed of the suspicions by the woman’s family.

Police arrested Mrs Nobbs in October last year. During a search of her home several items were recovered, including premium bonds belonging to another client.

Miss Masters said the bonds were in the name of a woman who suffered alzheimer’s disease, but her family did not believe that even with her condition she would have just given them away.

The missing jewellery box, containing two rings, was also found at Mrs Nobbs’ home and she claimed the owner had given it to her it on a previous visit, “as a gift”.

But she told police she intended returning them to the client’s daughter.

Miss Masters said in a second interview she denied allegations that she had pawned the other items of jewellery and spent the proceeds on herself.

Mrs Nobbs, 48, of Elmwood, Coulby Newham, denies three counts of theft.

The trial continues today.