A SHAMED nursing home manager who pocketed cash belonging to vulnerable elderly residents has been spared an immediate jail sentence.

Earlier Tracey Thompson admitted seven theft offences involving a total of around £2,200 at the Avon Cliff nursing home in Christchurch Road, Bournemouth.

The 49-year-old from Wimborne Road, Bournemouth, pleaded guilty to stealing money from residents in her care and also from her employers, helping herself to more than £1,000 worth of printer cartridges from the home which she later sold on eBay.

At a previous hearing Bournemouth magistrates were told how:

  • Thompson stole £75 from Winifred Thompson
  • £100 from Kenneth Markless l cash with an unknown value from Connie Fisher
  • £100 from Doris Rylands
  • £49 from Rachel Harris since January 1, 2010.

She also admitted taking £730 from the nursing home between January 1 and June 8, 2012 and cartridges worth £1,126 between July 28, 2011 and August 21, 2012.

In her defence, Mike Flynn said Thompson was in debt and had taken out payday loans to repay them, adding: “She is very ashamed and has been co-operative with the police.

“Unfortunately she found herself in difficulties.”

Bournemouth Crown Court heard how Thompson had been treated at St Ann’s Hospital in Poole and was currently being cared for by her doctor and the community health team.

Judge Samuel Wiggs imposed a sixmonth prison sentence, suspended for a year. Thompson will be supervised by the Probation Service for a similar period and must attend an education, training and employment programme for 15 days.