A Maidstone carer with a gambling addiction stole money from the vulnerable pensioners he was meant to be looking after.

Mihai Robu took blank cheques from the bedrooms of two men, aged 89 and 92, and then wrote them out to himself.

The 29-year-old, of Gabriels Hill, Maidstone, stole more than £25,000 over the course of a year and was arrested after concerns were raised by a relative of one of the victims.

During police interview Robu confessed to stealing the cheques and writing them out to himself. He told officers he had a gambling addiction and stole the money to fund this habit.

His mobile phone was examined and it revealed photos of the stolen cheques along with images of his victims’ bank cards. The device had also been used to search the internet for guidance on how to deposit cheques and then withdraw the cash.

Appearing at Maidstone Crown Court Robu pleaded guilty to two counts of theft and two counts of fraud by abuse of position and was jailed for 16 months.

An application was also made under the Proceeds Of Crime Act to take back any criminal gains.

Det Con David Turner, of Kent Police’s Public Protection Unit, said: "Mihai Robu was employed to care for and look after elderly and vulnerable people, but he abused his position of trust in the worst possible way. He repeatedly stole from his victims, exploiting their age and vulnerability to deposit substantial sums of money in his own bank account.

"Robu has shown a considerable deal of remorse for his crimes during the investigation and subsequent court hearing. However this sentence sends a clear message that any abuse by people employed in a position of trust can expect to be dealt with severely by the courts."