A woman who stole more than £42,000 was sentenced to 10 months in prison after pleading guilty to stealing from vulnerable people in North Herts.

Tracey Rowe of Bournemouth Road in Stevenage admitted three counts of theft on December 1, and was sentenced at Cambridge Crown Court last week.

Using debit cards she took more than £42,000 belonging to four people between 2010 and 2013 while she was employed as an NHS support worker.

The 46-year-old’s job was to help them with their finances, bills and shopping. Instead she spent the cash on her own bills and equestrian hobby.

The victims were an 87-year-old man and a 73-year-old woman from Hitchin, an 85-year-old man from Letchworth and a 91-year-old woman from Baldock.

Detective Constable Lee Hill, from the specialist Safeguarding Adults from Abuse Unit which investigated the case, said: “Tracey Rowe was employed in a position of trust to help elderly, vulnerable victims, but she took advantage of her role to steal thousands of pounds for her own gain.

“I would like to reassure residents that we are committed in Hertfordshire to protecting the vulnerable and bringing offenders before the courts to face justice.”