A CARER admitted going on a fraudulent spending spree using a card belonging to a vulnerable pensioner she was looking after.

Ashley Maddison abused her position of trust to withdraw large amounts of cash and to buy clothing, shoes, games, furniture and other goods, magistrates were told.

The 26-year-old of Ramsey Close, Peterlee, County Durham, pleaded guilty before the town’s magistrates to making false representations by using someone else’s bank card, between January 25 and February 24. The fraud cost the elderly woman more than £3,600.

However, Maddison denied a charge of stealing the bank card.

Vicky Wilson, prosecuting, said the victim was defined as having limited capacity under the Mental Health Act, while Maddison was a person in a position of trust as an employee of Comfort Call.

She said: “The woman has given her cash card and pin number to the defendant and it is believed she is expected to have go to buy her cigarettes and beer.

“The defendent has admitted using the card to spend money in a number of shops in Sunderland.

“She has admitted dishonesty and also admitted being in a position of trust.”

Inquiries by the victim’s daughter when she discovered the card was missing, uncovered a string of cash transactions had been made on the card, which she knew her mother could not have been responsible for, the court heard.

Among the purchases Maddison making on one day were £219 at Foot Locker, £24 at the Disney store and £175 at Top Shop.

On another day she withdrew £240 from a cashpoint in Peterlee, and bought £234 worth of goods at Ikea and £266 at Grainger Games.

And on another day she made a failed attempt to withdraw £800 and £500 at a cashpoint, before going on to buy goods from Ikea and managing to withdraw £500 at a cashpoint.

Magistrates declined jurisdiction and adjourned the case for a hearing at Durham Crown Court on April 23. Maddison was granted conditional bail.

A spokesman for Comfort Call confirmed that Maddison had been dismissed.