A mobile carer accused of stealing from elderly clients who she visited at home, has now formally entered not guilty pleas to all the allegations against her.

Rachel Fenwick, through her counsel Ian Mullarkey, indicated likely denials to the entire 35-count indictment at a previous hearing, at Durham Crown Court, in March.

It was adjourned for a trial, given a provisional start date in late September, but with a pre-trial review to be staged at the court on Monday.

Read more: Trial date set for County Durham carer accused of defrauding clients

When the case was called into court the charges were read to the 31-year-old defendant, who denied all 35 counts, 29 of fraud, one of theft and five of forgery.

They relate to alleged unauthorised use of elderly clients’ bank debit cards and also forging of signatures and entries on cheques.

As such, the prosecution is likely to seek the evidence of a handwriting expert at the trial, but there may be legal argument over admissibility of evidence of some elderly dementia sufferers, while the court was previously told that two of the complainants have since died.

Judge James Adkin adjourned to the newly agreed trial start date of Monday December 12, and bail for the defendant, of Woodlands Terrace, Dipton, near Stanley, was extended on existing conditions.

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can also follow our dedicated County Durham Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.

For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054