A FORMER Cwmbran senior support worker was jailed, after admitting stealing £5,670 from vulnerable adults in her care.

Karen Moore, 40, of Brendon Hill, Somerset, appeared in Newport Crown Court for sentencing yesterday after pleading guilty to three theft charges relating to her time working at CPI Care's supported accomodation on Roll's Close, Cwmbran.

Moore was a senior support worker at the facility between 2005 and 2008, where she helped four adults with learning difficulties, controlling their financial affairs, taking money out of their accounts and paying outgoings.

It was after Moore had left the position and moved to Somerset that the deception came to light in June 2010 and she was arrested and interviewed by police in Minehead.

Prosecutor Hywel Hughes said CPI Care found unexplained cash deposits made by Moore, with the overall loss greater than £5,670, but this is the amount that was provable.

In interview, Moore told officers she struggles with figures and made up sheets to make cash tally, while Mr Hughes said she made withdrawals to pay off her own debts.

Defending Moore, Leighton Hughes said there had been no high living and Moore turned to theft after finding life difficult when she moved to Wales.

He said she suffered depression, ill-health, was "incredibly unhappy" living in Cwmbran and turned to theft after getting into debt.

Leighton Hughes said Moore is "thoroughly ashamed" and could not believe the "devastating depths" to which she had sunk.

Judge David Morris called it a "tragedy" that someone of Moore's intelligence and background was in front of him for him for such offences.

He said she had breached a position of trust repeatedly and gave her concurrent terms of 14 months for each offence.

DC Sarah Garland of Gwent Police's protection of vulnerable adults team said: "She had a position of trust helping people live independent lives. She abused this position, so a custodial sentence is fair."