A 42-year-old care home deputy manager from Ross, who defrauded four vulnerable residents out of more than £9,000 was prepared for jail when she appeared at Gloucester Crown Court on October 13th.

Christine Green was ashamed of her offences and wanted to be sentenced immediately, her barrister told the court.

But the judge, Recorder Michael Vere-Hodge QC bailed her for three weeks to allow for pre-sentence reports to be prepared.

Green pleaded guilty to four charges of fraud in breach of her trusted position as living support deputy manager with Stroud and District Homes Foundation.

She admitted that on dates between June 2014 and January 2016 she defrauded one resident of £3,116, another of £3,225, a third of £390 and a fourth of £2,398.99 by taking money from their bank accounts without consent.

Her barrister, Sarah Francis, told the court:?“She does not wish for the benefit of a pre-sentence report. She is of good character previously. She is asking for sentence today.”

“I have tried to persuade her to have a pre-sentence report but she feels the sentence is inevitable. She is driven by shame and wants to be dealt with immediately.”

To Green, who looked upset and anxious in the dock, the judge said:?“I have no doubt that you have steeled yourself for what you see as an inevitable sentence of immediate imprisonment. It may well be in fact that you do have to go into custody in due course.

“I am granting you bail for a pre-sentence report but without any indication of what any future judge may decide is the appropriate sentence.”

Green, who had three female companions supporting her at court, pulled up the hood of her coat to avoid being photographed as she left court.