A CARER is accused of using a care home client’s bank card to make purchases and withdraw cash for herself.

Julie Thirtle is charged with a single count of fraud relating to use of the card during a period between March 24 and June 24, 2017.

It relates mainly to cash withdrawals from atms, but also to buying goods, while making some legitimate purchases for the 73-year-old female client at Melbury House Residential Care Home, in Seaham.

The prosecution claim the care home resident did not give the defendant permission to use the card and alleges the illegitimate purchases and withdrawals amount to £7,358.09.

Mrs Thirtle claims she had permission to use the card on behalf of the client and that the purchases were for legitimate purposes.

The case was adjourned for a trial of three to four days estimated duration, at the court, starting on July 15.

Judge Christopher Prince bailed the 36-year-old defendant, to an address in Castleford, West Yorkshire.