A CARE assistant could be jailed for stealing thousands of pounds from an elderly resident's bank account.

Alison Robson - who dodged prison last year for a similar scam - was supposed to look after the interests of the 82-year-old stroke victim.

Robson had the pensioner's bank card to do his shopping - but used it to withdraw money for herself over three years.

Prosecutors say the 51-year-old took £20,855, but Robson's barrister said the sum was likely to have been "significantly less".

At Teesside Crown Court today as she was due to go on trial, she admitted theft between October 2010 and September 2013.

Robson, of Tailrigg Close, Stockton, worked at the Poplars care home in nearby Thornaby at the time, and has since been sacked.

Last year, she was given a suspended prison sentence for fraudulently withdrawing £2,000 from the account of another resident.

Judge Tony Briggs adjourned the case until next month so a pre-sentence report can be compiled by an official from the Probation Service.

He told Robson: "I should indicate to you that the granting of bail is no indication as to sentence. All sentencing options, including custody, remain open."

The shamed carer withdrew small amounts from the woman's account at a time at cashpoint machines so she did not arouse suspicion.

Her barrister, Victoria Lamballe, told the court: "The figure is likely to be significantly less than the £20,000 the prosecution say.

"The defendant will contend she had authority to withdraw and purchase items on behalf of the defendant."

Robson was given bail until her next appearance on September 18.

In March last year, she faced a fraud charge amounting to £5,750, but insisted at least £3,500 was spent on the resident.

The period covered by the charge in that case was November 2011 to September 2013.

She was initially suspended and then formally dismissed in January last year.