A CARER stole money from a bedridden patient to highlight problems with her treatment, magistrates were told.

Caroline Godfrey appeared before Droitwich magistrates yesterday accused of stealing money from Dorothy Seymour, who has needed 24-hour-care from a team of workers since suffering a stroke.

During the hearing, the court was told Mrs Seymour's husband had became suspicious money was being taken from her and wrote down the serial numbers of the cash in her purse.

Then on Saturday, April 21, he checked Godfrey's purse to find £15 in notes with matching serial numbers to his wife's.

Dele Alakija, prosecuting, said the 24-year-old had also asked for two other thefts totalling £20 to be taken into account during an interview with police shortly afterwards.

But he added the carer had claimed she had taken the money to highlight problems over the treatment of the woman by other carers.

However, he handed magistrates a letter written by Mr Seymour which stated the husband was happy with the work carried out by the other carers.

Godfrey, of The Grove, Stourport-on-Severn, admitted theft.

Anne Brain, defending, said Godfrey had tried to help her patient but made a poor choice of method. She added her client would not handle the same situation in the same way again.

"She stuck her neck out to help Mrs Seymour," she said.

"At the time she thought she was doing the right thing. She's a lady of good character and always worked within the care industry without any problems.

"She wishes to apologise for what she did and appreciates an alternative course of action was more sensible and professional. She wouldn't handle it like this again. She wasn't trying to abuse her position."

Godfrey was ordered to serve a 200-hour community punishment order, and pay £20 compensation and £70 costs.