A CARER admitted stealing £175 from a 'vulnerable' disabled woman she was supposed to be looking after.

Lucy May Pemberton, 24, broke down in tears as she heard details of her 'reckless' crimes at Vale Royal Magistrates Court on Thursday.

Pemberton, of Station Road, Winsford, took cash from the home of wheelchair-bound Denise Leech, 42, on four occasions over two-weeks.

Sue Gibson, prosecuting, said: 'Ms Pemberton admitted committing the offences between July 20 and August 3, but she told police she didn't know why she was doing it.

'She said she didn't remember events but accepted she was probably responsible. She was suffering from depression and told detectives she was acting totally out of character.'

The spate of thefts is said to have been triggered by a 'traumatic experience' that sent Pemberton into a spiral of depression.

Derek MacDonald, defending, said: 'A bad experience placed my client under a great deal of emotional strain. She was in turmoil and receiving counselling for depression. She had a great relationship with Denise Leech and wrote a 'sorry' card to the victim containing £175 in cash as compensation.'

Presiding magistrate Moira Chapman told Pemberton: 'This was a vulnerable victim and you abused your position of trust. Each individual theft was of low value but you committed the offences recklessly and the harm you caused this victim was loss of money.'

Pemberton pleaded guilty to theft, but sentencing was adjourned until October 13 so a presentence report can be drawn up.