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Carer stole thousands of pounds from couple with dementia

Gemma Day, 29, stole money from a couple with dementia. (SWNS)
Gemma Day, 29, stole money from a couple with dementia. (SWNS)

A carer stole thousands of pounds from an elderly couple who were suffering from dementia.

Gemma Day, 29, took the money from Ann and Dennis Baldock's joint bank account between February and March last year while she was looking after them.

The mum-of-four pleaded guilty to a charge of fraud by abuse of position at a hearing at Maidstone Magistrates' Court.

Day, of Sheerness, Kent, entered a basis of plea, which the Crown Prosecution Service accepted.

This stated she withdrew around £6,000 while a second person, who has not yet been charged, withdrew the rest.

General view of Maidstone Crown Court.
Gemma Day will appear at Maidstone Crown Court for sentencing. (PA)

Mrs Baldock has early-onset dementia while her husband has dementia and was bed-bound at the time.

He is now in a care home.

Prosecutor Victoria McGrady told how Day had taken around £200 to £250 on multiple occasions using Mrs Baldock's debit card.

It wasn't until Mrs Baldock's brother noticed the transactions on her bank statements that police were informed.

Ms McGrady told the court an offence like this, over a prolonged period, was an abuse of trust and targeted vulnerable victims.

It could carry a custodial sentence of 18 months.

Defending, Eleanor Dobson asked for a pre-sentence report to be conducted before sentencing due to several factors in Day's personal life.

She added how she cares for three children, while a fourth lives with their father, and argued a custodial sentence would have a "severe impact" on them.

Due to the amount of money taken from the elderly couple, Day will appear at Maidstone Crown Court for sentencing on a date to be confirmed.

She was released on unconditional bail.