Unpaid work for Great Wyrley care home thefts

Gemma Davis, aged 26, stole cash, wallets, purses, a memory stick and toiletries over about 12 months at Lakeview Care Home, Great Wyrley. Police were called after £40 was missing.

Her home in Abbotts Place, Bloxwich, was searched after cash was missed from a co-worker's purse. Police found multiple items stolen at the home.

Davis admitted stealing goods, as well as taking money from a colleague's purse for her personal use.

Mr John Peel, prosecuting, told Cannock Magistrates: "She admitted the money belonged to the nurse. She had worked at the care home since 2007."

Mr Mark Hemming, defending, said she carried out the thefts to pay back a drug debt, after becoming addicted to cannabis.

He said: "She is and was addicted to cannabis. At that time she was using £70 of cannabis a week. This has since been reduced to £40.

"There was pressure put on her to repay her drugs debt. Drug dealers often allow drugs to be bought on credit. Pressure was put on Gemma and it was said if she didn't pay, they would start putting pressure on her mum.

"She has never been in trouble with the police before. She is a young lady who has a drug problem and wants to address that drugs problem.

"She co-operated fully with police at the time of the arrests and afterwards. She also pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity."

Davis admitted seven counts of theft and was given 120 hours unpaid work, cut to 80 hours for an early guilty plea. A 12-month community order was also made and she must pay £85 costs and £45 compensation to a victim.

Bench chairman Mr Martin Corden said breaches of trust were a serious matter, especially when victims were such vulnerable people.