A FORMER care worker cleaned out her elderly stepfather’s sizeable pension accounts while he was in care, then blew thousands on exotic holidays and expensive furniture for her home.

Patricia Cheshire, 66, lived the high life while her frail stepfather Eric Anthony, who suffered from Alzheimer’s, relied on donations for everyday essentials such as clothing.

Over a six-year period, Cheshire, a grandmother-of-four, plundered more than £54,000 from Mr Anthony’s accounts after being made appointee to his state pension and benefits. She spent some of the money on a trip to Disneyland in the US, York Crown Court heard.

Mr Anthony was being nursed at the Morris Grange care home in Richmond, North Yorkshire, before his death, aged 81, in February last year.

He was initially taken into The Lawns nursing home in Harrogate in 2007, when Cheshire opened an account in her own name for Mr Anthony’s benefits to be deposited. The DWP made her sign a form to pledge that the money would only be used for Mr Anthony’s benefit, but Cheshire practically wiped the account clean.

Prosecutor Louise Reevell said that when Cheshire’s accounts were inspected, investigators found references to ‘Magic Kingdom Ticket USA’ and ‘Cigar Box US’.

Social services were alerted and arranged a meeting with Cheshire at her flat, which boasted a new four-piece suite and other expensive decorations.

“They also found holiday brochures for expensive locations,” said Ms Reevell. “Social services were troubled by this because they knew she was on benefits.”

In October 2010, Mr Anthony was moved to Morris Grange, where his care was fully-funded for four years. As Mr Anthony’s state appointee, Cheshire was obliged to give him “pocket money” for essentials such as toiletries and clothing, but she only handed over token amounts which amounted to just under £230 over two-to-three years.

“The defendant never visited Mr Anthony and never telephoned the home to see how he was, except one occasion when he went into hospital just before he died,” added Ms Reevell.

“Staff (at the home) even bought him a Christmas present, otherwise he wouldn’t have received anything."

Cheshire appeared for sentence on Monday after pleading guilty to fraud by abuse of position.

The court heard she had a previous conviction for benefit fraud from February 2014. In that case, she failed to notify the DWP that her husband had died, allowing her to collect his full pension for 11 years.

Defence barrister Jessica Strange said Cheshire had not worked since the age of 50 because of arthritis and osteoporosis, and had to retire from care work as a result.

Cheshire, of Dene Park, Harrogate, was jailed for 15 months.