A woman who targeted two vulnerable care home residents and stole cash and fraudulently purchased items using their bank cards has been put behind bars for 27 months.

Tracey Sell, 52, of Croydon, was sentenced on Monday, June 19 after she pleaded guilty to 12 counts of fraud at Guildford Crown Court.

Ms Sell started working at a care home for vulnerable adults in Whyteleafe in September 2013 and over the course of 27 months she took cash from two residents and made unauthorised purchases using their bank cards with a combined total of over £20,000.

Investigating officer PC Hannah Andrews, from East Surrey CID said it was a horrendous crime.

“What makes this crime more heinous is that Sell stole from two vulnerable people, who have severe mental and physical disabilities and are unable to communicate, whose care she was trusted with,” she said.

“Thanks to the diligence of another member of staff, some serious anomalies were picked up and police were notified.

"Fortunately incidents of this kind are uncommon - I hope that the custodial sentence given to Sell acts as a deterrent to anyone considering preying on the vulnerable in such a cold and calculated manner and also illustrates the seriousness of these crimes.

“Similarly, I hope this reassures the public of our commitment to solving fraud cases. If you have your suspicions about anybody being involved in fraud either as a victim or offender please contact us, by calling 101 or use the online reporting system at http://www.surrey.police.uk/.”