A DRUG addict who fleeced a blind 87-year-old woman out of more than £20,000 has been jailed.

Gemma Goldring targeted her elderly, vulnerable victim and pocketed cash from her bank account over three months.

The victim went on to say she was 'absolutely shocked and disappointed' and that she would never wholly forgive her.

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The 35-year-old of Westfield Close, Benson, pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud and was sentenced at Oxford Crown Court today.

Outlining the case prosecutor Jonathan Stone said Goldring had known her victim as she would frequent the Coach & Horses pub in Wallingford in which she worked.

After suffering a fall the victim enquired about hiring a carer and it was Goldring who suggested her mother - a registered carer - look after her.

Between July and October 2019, the court heard, Goldring went on to steal from the woman, using her bank card to make withdrawals.

Prosecutors said that the victim would regularly take a daytime nap and it was during this time that transactions would be made.

In total Goldring took £23,200 during the frauds and it was only revealed when the woman visited her local bank and suspicious activity was uncovered.

Bank staff noticed withdrawals of £300 from ATMs in the town.

In a victim personal statement the woman said that she had trusted Goldring and when she found out what she had done she was 'absolutely shocked and disappointed.'

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She added that while she had some understanding she would not 'wholly forgive her.'

When Goldring was arrested she eventually confessed to taking the money from the woman.

She told officers she had a 'large cocaine habit.'

In mitigation Kellie Enever, defending, said that her client was 'thoroughly ashamed of what she has done.'

She said the drug addiction had been 'the driving force' and that she had a 'drugs debt.'

Sentencing, Judge Ian Pringle QC said: "It is difficult to think of someone who is in a greater position of trust than you.

"And you abused it."

As Goldring was told she would serve an immediate prison sentence she burst into tears and sobbed.

She was jailed for 16 months and must pay a victim surcharge.