A THIEF who cared for a housebound pensioner for more than a decade stole his life savings and went on a £37,000 spending spree.

Mother-of-three Tracey Jenkinson abused Dennis Grocock's trust when he gave her power of attorney over his financial affairs.

The 42-year-old, who was in her victim's will, funded a lavish lifestyle for herself and her children aged 19, 18 and 11.

Her spree included:

Buying a £3,700 car for her daughter;

Buying a holiday to Venezuela for her daughter;

Paying for drama classes for her children.

Now Jenkinson, of Waterdale Grove, Meir Hay, Stoke-on-Trent, is starting a three-year prison sentence after admitting stealing £55,000 from Mr Grocock between July 1, 2006 and May 2, 2008.

Jenkinson pleaded guilty just minutes before her trial in July on the basis that she accepted cashing three of Mr Grocock's Scottish Widows policies and spending between £36,000 and £37,000 of that sum.

Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard Jenkinson first met Mr Grocock in the mid 1990s when she was in a relationship with his nephew, Darren Grocock.

She started helping Mr Grocock by fetching his groceries.

In 2006, Jenkinson was granted power of attorney.

But over the next two years, 69-year-old Mr Grocock's outgoings rose to £60,000 when they were normally around £11,500 a year.

Paul Spratt, prosecuting, said: "Mr Grocock is a very frail man. This has had a devastating effect on him."

Paul Cliff, defending, said Jenkinson had felt obliged to look after Mr Grocock, who lived in the Meir area, because he needed help.

He said: "Initially there was nothing sinister in her getting power of attorney."

The court heard Jenkinson started making small cash withdrawals because she was in financial difficulties after splitting with her partner.

But the spending escalated as she cashed in policies.

Mr Cliff said: "She has always been hard-working. She has worked as a support worker for a significant time."

Judge Paul Glenn said Mr Grocock had been an easy victim.

He said: "He has limited mobility and is effectively housebound."

He told Jenkinson: "This isn't a case of need, this is a case of greed. You exploited his vulnerability for your own benefit."