A former carer who stole from an elderly man at his care facility has narrowly avoided jail.

Susan Hutton, 54, stole from former Royal Marine, Patrick Armstrong, 83, when he lived in an extra care scheme in Gravesend.

Hutton stole about £80 from Mr Armstrong after she entered his flat while he was ill in hospital, last August.

She was caught out by one of Mr Armstrong's relatives who had secretly installed a camera inside his flat as he'd discovered other money had gone missing from pensioners in the complex, which is run by Rapport Housing & Care, formerly the Abbeyfield Kent Society.

After being arrested she was charged with burglary and pleaded guilty to the offence when she appeared at Woolwich Crown Court.

It is understood after the crime came to light, Hutton, of Montgomery Close, lost her job after failing to turn up for a disciplinary hearing into the matter.

Mr Armstrong, who was born in Gravesend and is disabled, had been admitted to hospital at the time after a fall and Hutton had entered his flat and the cash went missing.

Since then the pensioner has moved into a nursing home as his health has deteriorated since he was targeted and his family say he has never been the same and now suffers with mental health difficulties.

The family member, who didn't want to be named said: "She entered his flat the day after he'd been admitted to hospital.

"She was caught by the camera I had installed.

"She was not allowed to enter his property when he was not there but let herself in with a key.

"I'd installed the camera as there had been money going missing for a long time. The effect it has had on him has been immense.

"He was a strong man before this happened but to see him now is just heartbreaking.

"He doesn't trust anyone any more and thinks every carer is stealing and spending his money."

Mr Armstrong, who is also a retired lorry driver is now under the care of mental health doctors.

His relative, 32, who also lives in Gravesend added: "This incident had a massive effect him.

"He doesn't trust anyone any more and thinks every carer is stealing and spending his money" - a relative of Patrick Armstrong

"He never suffered with mental health issues until after this happened to him.

"I think it will be the demise of him.

"She is a disgraceful person picking on the elderly and frail, but I am glad the crime has come to light she's been dealt with. I will mean she can no longer be a carer."

Hutton was jailed for six months for the offence, but the term was suspended for two years.

She was also placed on a tagged curfew for four months.

Nicole Cook, spokesman for Rapport Housing & Care, said: "Rapport Housing & Care took the allegation of burglary seriously and treated it as an urgent priority, a police investigation was launched and Susan Hutton was dismissed in October 2017.

"Subsequently, we supported the victim and their family and ensured our security measures were immediately reviewed and heightened.

"There have been no further incidents.”