A CLEANER stole thousands of pounds from a pensioner to pay off debts and support her family.

Carol Fowler, 46, was spared jail by a judge who heard that the shame of being identified in newspapers would be a "terrible" punishment for her.

Mother-of-three Fowler, of Ash Hill, Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough, was put on probation for two years.

She wiped tears away from her eyes as Judge Peter Fox told her: "I am not going to send you to prison. Others might disagree with me, especially those who are struggling on the sort of income you were struggling on.

"They, the vast majority, thankfully, do not succumb to the temptation you did."

Teesside Crown Court heard yesterday how Fowler had worked for nursing home resident Albert Evans, 79, for four years and had become a close friend before her stealing started.

In late 2002, Mr Evans agreed to allow her to use his credit card to borrow £200 to pay off some debts.

But Fowler kept the card and plundered Mr Evans' bank account between January and May last year, taking a total of £4,239 and leaving him overdrawn.

She admitted five charges of theft and one of obtaining a money transfer by deception. She asked for a further 35 thefts to be taken into consideration.

Dan Cordy, mitigating, said she was struggling to cope on wages of £75 a week after the break-up of her 22-year marriage.

He said she had a son and daughter at college who both lived at home, as did a young grandchild.

Mr Cordy said: "The money was used to buy basic things like shoes for work, shopping and to pay the car insurance. She didn't go on holiday, didn't buy extensions for her home or anything like that.

"When it started she intended to pay it back but there was no way she possibly could. She got herself into this position and effectively didn't know what to do to get out of it.

"She has lost her good character and will never be able to regain it."

Judge Fox told Fowler: "You were in debt, but you cleaned him out. From there being something over £4,000 in his account he became overdrawn and himself in debt from your dishonesty."

The stolen money was repaid to Mr Evans by his bank.