A FORMER care worker is facing jail after stealing nearly £22,000 from pensioners she was supposed to be looking after.

Magistrates heard yesterday how Lisa Garrington, 22, befriended the vulnerable women before stealing their money.

Garrington, who took the cash to support her gambling addiction, pleaded guilty to two counts of theft when she appeared in court.

Hartlepool magistrates heard the case but referred it to Teesside Crown Court for sentence because the maximum penalties they could have imposed were 12 months in prison or a £10,000 fine.

Garrington, of Thirlmere Street, Hartlepool, was working between 14 and 22 hours a week for care agency Janard when she stole the money between July and September last year.

She was employed to help elderly people look after themselves in their own homes in the Hartlepool area when she committed the crimes.

Eventually, her victims and their relatives noticed cheques from cheque books were going missing along with money from their bank accounts.

It was later discovered that £8,860 had been stolen from Doris Turnbull, 84, who had been in hospital after not eating properly and suffering from memory loss.

A further £13,050 was taken from pensioner Phylis Ratcliffe who suffered from vertigo and was unsteady on her feet.

Mrs Ratcliffe's age was not released yesterday but it was revealed that she had no insurance and her money had not been returned.

The magistrates heard that Mrs Turnbull's money was reimbursed by Abbey National, which may take civil action against Garrington.

Paula Sanderson, prosecuting, said Garrington, who has become pregnant since being caught, would chat to Mrs Turnbull up to three times a day.

She said: "There could hardly be a more culpable case of breach of trust.

"This was not an impulsive act but was carried out over a period of some time."

John Relton, defending, said Garrington was burdened by her gambling addiction. He stressed she had no previous convictions, had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and was four months pregnant.

He said: "Lisa Garrington is ashamed of her actions and knows she has humiliated her family."

Issues of compensation will also be decided at crown court, on a date to be set.

Speaking after the case, Mrs Turnbull said: "I was disappointed in her. It is sad for someone so young to do that."