THE warden of a sheltered accommodation complex for elderly people was jailed yesterday after she "preyed on a vulnerable" resident, stealing £20,000 which left her penniless when she died.

Shamed warden Carrina Philomena Puckett fleeced one of her residents out of her life savings.

Cardiff crown court heard that when victim Ann Woodward sold her house in Risca, her bank balance was £38,385.

But just over two years later in April 2004, when she died at the age of 69, there was just £11.12 left in her account.

The court heard how Puckett swindled Mrs Woodward by paying falsely signed cheques and cash into her lesbian lover Julia Sharland's account. Puckett, 47, of Clearwell Court, Rhiwderin, Newport, the warden of the Caerphilly council-run Britannia Close complex in Maryland Road, Risca was jailed for 15 months yesterday.

Judge Jonathan Durham Hall, QC, told Puckett: "This was a serious breach of trust. You had control and responsibility for very vulnerable people who expected to live out their lives utterly protected from any predator.

"Such is the seriousness that the punishment needs to send out the clearest message to those who prey on the elderly."

Prosecutor Martyn Kelly said Puckett intercepted Mrs Woodward's bank statements and destroyed them. "Tragically it has to be said, she died penniless."

The court heard Ms Sharland was "exonerated" of any wrongdoing and had suffered "distress and anger" after being arrested and investigated, but was standing by her girlfriend.

Puckett pleaded guilty to the theft of £20,275 between April 2002 and December 2003.

She also accepted the theft of £75 meant for Mrs Woodward's daughter Joann Haig after her mother's television was sold to a fellow resident following her death.

Until she pleaded guilty last month, Puckett was suspended with full pay from her £14,000 a year job.

Marian Lewis, mitigating for Puckett, said: "She accepts there can be no excuse for her offending. She fell into temptation.

"She was horrified when she realised the amount she had taken from this poor lady and can't understand where all the money has gone.

"The papers reveal no evidence of any lavish lifestyle...it has just been frittered away."

Despite what had happened Ms Sharland "was supportive of her...and taken the financial strain of the consequences that have followed." Puckett was unable to claim benefit after losing her job.

Ms Lewis said Puckett was of "good character, hard-working, highly regarded by all who knew her and cared by her.