A WHITCHURCH woman who admitted swindling an 89-year-old care home resident out of more than £40,000 has been jailed for two years at Shrewsbury Crown Court.

Edna Starkey, 66, of Queensway, admitted nine charges of theft between June 2002 and July 2004 – by using forged cheques to take the money from the bank account of elderly Mrs Gladys Kynaston of Weston House care home in Green End, Whitchurch.

Mrs Starkey also admitted 13 further charges of dishonestly using a bank card to withdraw money from Mrs Kynaston’s account using bank machines.

Prosecutor Ian Ball said police investigations had failed to discover the exact amount involved, but the defence agreed that it was something over £40,000.

Judge Nicholas Mitchell told Starkey: “Over two years you systematically fleeced this lady of £40,000.

“There are many elderly people with disadvantages because of their age who are involved with carers in a position of trust on whom they rely – and ensure that they are not taken advantage of.

“This lady gave you power of attorney – and you took her cash.”

Full story: See Thursday’s Herald