THE manager of a nursing home has admitted pocketing cash belonging to vulnerable elderly residents.

Tracey Thompson pleaded guilty to stealing money from residents in her care and also from her employers at the Avon Cliff Nursing Home in Christchurch Road, Bourne-mouth.

The 49-year-old, who lives at Wimborne Road, Bournemouth also admitted stealing more than £1,000 worth of printer cartridges from the home, which she later sold on eBay.

Thompson admitted to seven charges, amounting to a total of around £2,200 when she appeared before Bourne-mouth Magis- trates Court.

She was then committed to Bournemouth Crown Court where she will be sentenced on Friday November 9.

Since January 1 2010 Thompson stole £75 belonging to Winifred Thompson, £100 belonging to Kenneth Markless, cash with a value unknown from Connie Fisher, £100 from Doris Rylands and £49 from Rachel Harris.

She admitted taking £730.53 from the nursing home between January 1 and June 8 2012 and cartridges worth £1,126.47 bet-ween July 28 2011 and August 21 2012.

Magistrates were told all victims have been reimbursed by the care home.

The home is owned by Colten Care and after the case managing director Ian Hudson told the Daily Echo: “The safety and wellbeing of our residents is always our overriding concern.

“This individual breached the trust placed in her by us as her employers and, more importantly, the residents at Avon Cliff.”

Mr Hudson said residents and families had been kept informed of the investigation and confirmed all losses had been reimbursed.

He added: “We recognise that this has been a very difficult situation for all concerned but feel we have acted in the best interests of our residents at all times.”

Defending Thompson, Mike Flynn told the court she was in debt and had taken out so-called payday loans to repay her debts.

He added: “She is very ashamed and has been fully co-operative with the police. Unfortunately she found herself in difficulties.”

Mr Flynn said Thompson had been treated in St Ann’s Hospital and was currently being treated by her doctor and the community health team.

She was remanded on unconditional bail until sentence.