A CARER has denied stealing more than £19,000 from an elderly woman she was looking after.

Angela Penney, 47, appeared in Southend Crown Court yesterday charged with defrauding the 81- year-old Canvey woman in her care.

She was looking after the woman in an unofficial capacity when she allegedly used the victim’s debit card to steal £19,076 from her account over a 13 month period.

The court heard the money went missing between January 31, 2013 and March 31, 2014 while Penney was in a position of trust.

She was arrested in May this year after a police investigation.

Police said although Penney’s occupation is a care assistant, she wasn’t employed by a care company to look after the victim when the allegations are said to have taken place.

Wearing a black and gold coat, black velvet leggings and black boots, Penney, of Prince William Avenue, Canvey, spoke only to confirm her plea at the short hearing yesterday. She looked solemn as she denied abusing the position she was in, which was to safeguard the financial interests of her victim.

She will now face a trial in the new year.

She has been released on unconditional bail until she appears at Basildon Crown Court in the week commencing February 11.