A 48-year-old woman who admitted stealing more than £18,000 in cash from a 75-year-old pensioner has been sent to prison for 18 months.

Bernadette Overy, of Bambridge Court, Maidstone, appeared before a crown court judge in the town for sentence.

Overy had previously pleaded guilty to stealing the money from the bank account of the resident at a care home in Hoo, near Rochester, where she worked as a manager.

The offence came to light after irregularities on the resident's bank statements were brought to the attention of the police. An investigation followed and on November 9 last year Overy was charged with theft.

Det Insp Gary Smith, of the special investigations unit at Medway Police Station, said: "This woman abused the trust of a person that had been placed in her care and she exploited their vulnerability for her own gain.

"I am confident that the police investigation and sentence imposed in this case enforces our message that we take offences like this seriously.

"We will do everything possible to prevent Medway residents from being subjected to crimes of this nature."

Police say the money was paid back to the resident.