A carer who stole thousands of pounds from the Black Country pensioner she looked after for 18 years has been spared jail.

Marlene Smith, aged 65, of Walsall, helped herself to £3,690 from benefits paid to 81-year-old Edward Ridley leaving him debt-ridden.

She was given a 12-week jail sentence suspended for 12 months at Wolverhampton Crown Court yesterday after Recorder Michael Stevens decided against sending her to prison.

Mr Edward Soulsby, prosecuting, said the theft came to light after the council realised Mr Ridley, who suffered from learning difficulties, had not paid his meals on wheels bill.

Smith, of Woodwards Place, Alumwell, was quizzed as Mr Ridley should have had ample cash in benefits to fund his outgoings.

Smith later admitted stealing £55 a month for six years from Mr Ridley, who died in August last year.

Mr Glyn Whitehouse, defending, said Smith had since become a “prisoner in her own home”, because she felt so ashamed.

He added: “The saving grace is the gentleman concerned, Mr Ridley, has not suffered at all. His standard of care never dipped below that was expected of it. He wouldn’t have known what was going on.”

Recorder Stevens said: “You provided Mr Ridley with care, support and I daresay a degree of friendship. But regrettably, you have repaid his friendship with what I call mean, petty and deceitful offending. “

He added: “I take the view that this is such a serious offence that a prison sentence would be justified and correct but I am not going to send you to prison, I don’t think that would serve society or you.”

Smith was given a 12-month supervision order, ordered to attend a Skills for Life programme and pay £2,500 compensation to Mr Ridley’s estate.