A FORMER care worker admitted stealing from two elderly clients to help pay off her own mounting debts.

Lynn Pattinson, 42, of Ferryhill, County Durham, pleaded guilty to two charges of theft and three of obtaining property by deception when she appeared at Teesside Crown Court yesterday.

Judge Tony Lancaster imposed a community punishment order to include 50 hours of unpaid work for the community and a 12 month rehabilitation element.

The court heard that Pattinson, who was also ordered to pay £1634 compensation, was of previous good character and had carried out the offences when she was faced with overwhelming personal debts. She told the court she was deeply sorry for what she had done.