A trusted carer was today jailed for a year for stealing the savings of a blind woman she looked after twice a week.

Mother-of-two Julie Wilkinson regularly helped herself to sums of £200 in withdrawals from the savings account into which the 76-year-old victim paid her late husband's mines pension.

Durham Crown Court heard that in around 17 months Wilkinson virtually emptied the account - her withdrawals totalling of £5,090.

Wilkinson was given the cash card and Pin number by the victim to obtain mini statements, but was never asked to withdraw money.

Lesley Kirkup, prosecuting, said it came to light in April when the victim obtained a statement and was shocked to discover only £190 remained.

The court heard that Wilkinson tried to stop her alerting police.

But, when she did so, Wilkinson then asked her to re-contact them and say it was all a mistake.

Ms Kirkup said the thefts had troubled the victim, who has since been off her food and had difficulty sleeping.

She told police she did not care about the money, "as long as she goes to prison".

Peter Schofield, mitigating, said Wilkinson, a mother of two teenage daughters, used the money to pay off around £5,000 household debts.

"She succumbed to temptation. There was no high living, but her finances are now back on an even keel," said Mr Schofield.

The court heard her father has taken out a loan to repay some of the money, but so far none has been paid to the victim.

Wilkinson, of Malvern Crescent, Seaham, County Durham, of previous good character, admitted a charge of theft at a previous hearing.

Jailing her, Recorder Andrew Stubbs told her: "This was a persistent and pre-meditated theft from a vulnerable lady who treated you like a daughter and trusted you with her life savings. This can only merit a sentence of custody."

Recorder Stubbs added: "I would like to make a compensation order, but you have no means.

"I obviously note your family has made an offer of repayment. Morally they may feel they should still do that, but I have no power to enforce it."