A CARER accused of defrauding thousands of pounds from her elderly charges appeared in court yesterday.

Dawn Riddell, 58, entered no plea to three counts of fraud alleged to have taken place in Bournemouth between November 14 last year and March 26, involving the intent to steal £2,000 from three vulnerable women.

The first two counts relate to women who suffered with dementia, while the third woman was 92-years-old.

Bournemouth magistrates ruled that the alleged offences were too serious to be dealt with summarily and the case was sent to Bournemouth Crown Court.

Riddell, pictured right, of Perth Close, Christchurch, was released on conditional bail to attend court for plea on July 28.