A care home worker who plundered hundreds of pounds from elderly residents has been warned she could be facing jail.

Sharon Gingell helped herself to cash belonging to eight different victims starting in August last year and carrying on until March this year.

The 48-year-old took a variety of amounts ranging from £20 up to £620 in the series of thefts at the Royal Wootton Bassett home.

Now a judge sitting at Swindon Crown Court has told her that she is at risk of jail when she faces sentence next month.

Gingell, who gave the court an address at The Chimneys, Dauntsey Lock, pleaded guilty to eight counts of theft totalling £1,520.

Gareth James, defending, said: "This is a lady of 48 years who you will see is of no previous convictions.

"In breach of trust she was a carer at the residential unit where the victims lived.

"Nevertheless I think because of her good character it is a case where a report will be prepared."

Judge Tim Mousley QC adjourned the case to Friday, October 13, so the report can be prepared and released her on bail until then.

He said: "I am ordering a pre-sentence report today which will deal with all sentencing options and that includes a sentence of immediate prison.

"Do not regard the fact I am granting bail as any indication that there won't be a prison sentence."