Matthew Clarke was their senior carer, the victims regarded him as their friend, and he was trusted to read their mail for them, including their bank statements.

But what they did not know was that behind their backs he was stealing their savings to pay off his debts.
Over a 15-month period he got away with more than £9,000, a court heard on June 24.

Clarke, 33, of Ty Uchaf, Llanwddyn near Oswestry, admitted three charges of theft and fraud and asked for 55 similar offences to be taken into consideration.

He was told that the sentence had to reflect the public disgust at what he had done.

Mold Crown Court heard how he was at the time employed as a senior key carer at the St Nicholas Residential Care Home at Churchstoke near Welshpool in Powys.

The effect on victims Vera Winchester, 85, and Joan Leeming, 88, had been great, it had affected other residents and staff, and new rules had to be introduced which, it was claimed, now ruled out spontaneous trips out which the residents used to enjoy.

Disgusted

Prosecutor Simon Rogers told how Vera Winchester became concerned that her bank balances were going down and walked into Newtown police station to report it.

Kim Halsall, defending, said that the defendant had no real explanation.

He was genuinely disgusted and ashamed that he had committed such despicable offences, which had affected everyone at the home.

It was no excuse or justification, but he was in debt and he had used the majority of the stolen money to pay off those debts, but also used some to buy items on ebay.

The defendant had very low self esteem and no punishment imposed by the court could be any worse than the punishment he was inflicting upon himself.