Woman stole from the elderly people she was caring for

A Maidstone carer stole almost £10,000 worth of jewellery and cash from her elderly clients.

When police searched Nicola Smyth’s Sandling home they discovered stolen items and also found traces of cocaine in several of her bags.

The 46-year-old, of Old Chatham Road, started working for Bluebird Care at the end of March but it wasn’t until July 1 that her offences came to light.

Victim Jean Carter contacted the agency to tell them £130 had gone missing from her handbag and she believed Smyth had taken it.

A number of similar incidents in the preceding months were then linked to the carer and she was charged with 11 counts of theft by employee.

Appearing at Maidstone Magistrates’ Court last Friday a sobbing Smyth admitted possession of cocaine, the thefts and an additional charge of stealing a wallet containing £100 while on bail in September.

Deborah Jones, for the prosecution, read statements to the court in which one victim said she had been caused a great deal of stress by the theft of her grandparents’ jewellery and had passed out four times due to lack of sleep.

She said: “Having my jewellery stolen pretty much finished me off. I cannot believe a carer would do this.”

George Booth, another victim, said: “The jewellery she stole had been passed down by my family over 50 years. We invited her into our home and trusted her.”

Patricia Ryan added she felt betrayed after giving Smyth supermarket vouchers and things for her children.

Daphne Claw’s purse containing a photo of her late husband and £100 was taken. It was later recovered minus the cash.

Mrs Jones told magistrates Smyth had sold many of the items to Gem Antiques and Pickwick Pawnbrokers in Maidstone and in total had taken £3,446 in cash and “well over” £5,000 of jewellery.

She asked the court to send the case to Maidstone Crown Court due to the severity of the offending.

John Roberts, defending, agreed with Mrs Jones’ view and as a result offered no mitigation.

Smyth was released on unconditional bail to be sentenced at Maidstone Magistrates’ Court at a date to be decided.