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A thieving carer was snared stealing hundreds of pounds from elderly patients when one of her clients turned detective.
But Zoe Brooks, 31, from Margate, has avoided jail despite targeting three victims aged 80-91, including a terminally ill woman.
Michael Ambrose hired the aspiring midwife to help nurse his vulnerable unwell wife at their home in Whitfield, near Dover.
When £1,300 soon went missing from his wallet he set up a hidden camera in the bedroom, which caught Brooks in the act.
In a statement Mr Ambrose made at the time, read out at Canterbury Crown Court, he said: "I feel that she has betrayed the trust we have put in her.
"Zoe is good at her job, she has developed a very good relationship with my wife, who will be devastated knowing what Zoe has done."
He explained his terminally ill wife later died following health complications, while still feeling "anxious and betrayed" by Brooks.
"I can't believe someone I should trust would steal from me... I have trouble sleeping, it keeps going around and around in my head..."
The court heard she would go on to commit another two "flagrant and blatant breaches of trust".
She targeted 81-year-old Harriet Boardman in Ashford, stealing £180 from her purse, prosecutor Emin Kandola explained.
The victim finished having a wash and noticed Brooks had been alone in her living room and when she left noticed the cash had gone.
She the court: "I can't believe someone I should trust would steal from me.
"I have trouble sleeping, it keeps going around and around in my head."
Brooks then trained her sights on 91-year-old stroke victim Freda Arnold at her Sellindge home.
She helped her wash and dress before leaving her alone in the bathroom and taking £100 from her purse, which was in another room.
Ms Arnold said the crime had "shattered her confidence and made her feel unsafe in her own home".
Brooks sat with her head bowed as she heard how the crimes affected her victims.
The court heard the mother-of-two told police a work colleague "set her up" in an elaborate scam.
But she was charged after Mr Ambrose gave his hidden camera footage to police - Brooks then pleaded guilty before trial.
Ian Foynette, defending, claimed his client's abusive former boyfriend forced her to commit the thefts and said she was of previous good character.
Recorder Ali Bajwa QC said Brooks had "considerable mitigation", but branded the thefts "a flagrant and blatant breach of trust".
He suspended an eight-month jail sentence for two years and imposed a 7pm-7am curfew for three months.
Brooks, of Appledore Close in Margate, was also ordered to compensate her victims at £35 a month.
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