A NURSING assistant with 19 years experience has denied stealing cash from an 87-year-old disabled woman on two visits to her home.

Irene Hill, aged 37, had visited the woman, who is housebound and partially deaf, at her flat to administer eye drops.

On the first occasion the pensioner discovered that after Hill's visit £168 was missing from her purse.

On the second visit seven days later the woman, checked her purse and was shocked to find that £170 in cash had gone.

Hill, of Nandywell, Little Lever, denied stealing the money and told Bolton Crown Court that on both occasions she had put drops in the pensioner's eyes and had then left.

Vanessa Thomson, prosecuting, said that on June 20 the pensioner was at her home waiting for Hill to arrive.

At that time she had £168 in cash in her purse which she kept in her handbag. Hill arrived at around 8.30am and left after 15 minutes.

Later the same day Hill visited the woman again to administer more eye drops and left again after 15 minutes. Hours later the pensioner's daughter discovered the cash was missing. Despite a lengthy search the money was never recovered.

The court was told that seven days later the woman's long-time carer and Hill were in the house at the same time and £175 in cash was still in her purse after both had left the flat.

Hill then returned to administer more eye drops. Although the drops were for one eye, the pensioner said that Hill wore gloves and placed two gauze pads over both eyes so she could not see.

When she removed the pads she saw her bag, hanging from a zimmer frame, was swinging as though someone had moved it.

When Hill had left the pensioner immediately took her purse and checked for the money but discovered she only had one £5 note left.

Hill, a mother of three, told the court she was a nursing auxiliary working in the community.

She denied taking the money and produced her bank statements which revealed no unusual spending patterns.

Under cross-examination Hill revealed she had not paid her rent at the time of the offence but told the court her family was not in financial difficulties and the rent arrears had since been cleared.

(Proceeding)