The manageress of an old people's home has been jailed for 15 months after she stole more than £12,000 from vulnerable pensioners in her care.

Annette Harber got the elderly people to sign cheques in her name, telling them the money was to pay towards their care.

One of her frail victims died just weeks after the thefts were discovered, Hove Crown Court heard yesterday.

Harber, 31, of Mill Road, Burgess Hill, stole the money after she ran up credit cards debts.

Keith Salvesen, prosecuting, said Harber was in charge of 22 residents at Edward House residential care home in Burgess Hill.

He said: "The home was for people over 65 but most of them were much older and were in poor health and not blessed with good memories."

Harber persuaded Constance Rigby to sign 36 cheques in her name totalling £7,216 between January and June 4, last year.

Mr Salvesen said: "She wrote out the cheques herself and got Miss Rigby to sign them for her.

"Miss Rigby was 83 and, sadly, she died on July 8, last year."

Harber also stole £4,479 from 83-year-old Margaret O'Brien by getting her to sign three cheques and withdrawing cash from her bank using her cashpoint card.

Mr Salvesen said the thefts were discovered after a friend of Miss Rigby's became suspicious and alerted the owners of the home and social services.

He said Harber resigned as soon as she realised she was being investigated and immediately admitted what she had done.

In her resignation letters, she said she had abused her position of trust and was no longer a fit person to run Edward House.

She later admitted stealing up to £2,000 from Alex Binton, another resident at the home.

Harber, who had no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to two counts of theft and asked for the third to be taken into consideration.

Martha Walsh, defending, said: "She shows utter shame and remorse for her behaviour and the abuse of her position of trust. She is disgusted with herself.

"Significantly, her former partner was putting her under extreme pressure after they got into debt. He wanted to live a lifestyle that involved comfortable living and luxury goods.

"But he was not willing to work and sent her out to earn the money to pay for them."

Sentencing Harber, Judge Kemp said: "You were entrusted with the care of the elderly, vulnerable and infirm residents of Edward House who were in the latter years of their lives.

"It is the breach of your position of trust that the court regards as the most aggravating feature of these offences.

"It is true you owned up to this at a very early stage when you realised you were under investigation.

"I accept that you are now thoroughly ashamed of your behaviour and wish to make good the wrong you have done to these people.

"However, these offences are so serious that only a custodial sentence will do and I can find no exceptional circumstances to justify suspending it."