by Christina Carapiet

A carer who stole thousands of pounds from elderly victims in her charge been jailed.

Michelle Phillips, 43, admitted five cases of fraud over 10 months - even targeting her 79-year-old neighbour.

She has been sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court to 21 months behind bars.

The court heard Phillips, of Brisbane Road, Chatham, stole more than £20,000 during her time as a carer for elderly people.

She swiped bank cards, pin numbers and took control of their finances. Her largest theft was around £15,000 from her neighbour.

Phillips was also accused of fraud by false representation, when she posed as a cleaner at elderly people's homes all across Chatham and Rochester - stealing more than £6,000.

Det Insp Gary Smith said Phillips had been rightly jailed and "clearly abused her position of trust and preyed on old and vulnerable people to gain cash for herself".