A 37-YEAR-OLD woman has narrowly avoided going to prison after once again posing as a carer before carrying out a burglary.

Samantha Wade was in a gang who targeted a vulnerable, 82-year-old victim at his home in Stourport.

Michael Aspinall QC, prosecuting, said Wade was known to the victim as a carer called Katie. He said in September 2017, after keys went missing, the 37-year-old went into the home with another unidentified man and they stole the victim's 50 inch television, worth more than £500.

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The victim was not in his home at the time but they were spotted by the landlord of a local pub, which led to the pair hiding the TV in a hedge. He said they later returned and carried it towards Stourport High Street, when they were captured on CCTV.

The barrister said Wade, of Bannut Tree Estate, Bromyard, had committed a similar offence in 2017 in which she posed as a carer and stole cash from another elderly resident.

Mr Aspinall added: "This was a very vulnerable victim, deliberately targeted, with a degree of planning.

"She committed the offence when she was on bail."

Julia Powell QC, defending, said: "Since the offence, things seem to be moving in the right direction for Miss Wade. She now seems to accept she was in the wrong company. She appears to be making progress on her own."

His honour Judge Jim Tindal said it was a "nasty offence" and the victim would have understandably felt violated when he learned of the theft. But he said since 2017, when she was given a suspended sentence, he could see the progress Wade had made.

"You have taken your chance - for the last two years you have effectively been out of trouble," he added.

Wade was given a two year prison sentence, suspended for two years, and told her to carry out 30 rehabilitation days.

The case was heard at Worcester Crown Court yesterday.

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