A CARER who stole an estimated £11,600 from a vulnerable elderly client has been ordered to repay £689.

Linda Peacock withdrew money from the bank account of the man with learning difficulties when she accompanied him on shopping trips.

The 53-year-old carer, employed by an agency to visit the man at his home in South Moor, Stanley, was not permitted to withdraw money from his account.

Peacock, of Cookson Place, Stanley, admitted theft and was given a 12 month prison sentence, suspended for a year, at Durham Crown Court earlier this year.

The court was told she spent ten weeks on remand in custody prior to the sentencing hearing.

Returning to court for a crime proceeds confiscation hearing today (Thursday October 3), Paul Cleasby, prosecuting, and defence counsel Rebecca Brown agreed Peacock benefited by £11,600, but has available assets of only £689.

Judge Christopher Prince agreed to the confiscation of £689 within six months, or risk a prison sentence of six months.