A severely disabled woman has told of her heartbreak after her carer stole from her.

Katy Montgomery, 34, spoke after Glenis Rhead, 40, appeared in court and admitted two counts of theft by employee.

Rhead was a carer for Miss Montgomery, of Lancing, when she withdrew £100 from her account on December 28, 2013.

She also took £100 from the vulnerable client so she could buy an iTunes voucher, Worthing Magistrates' Court was told on Tuesday.

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Rhead, who left her job at Worthing and Arun Caremark Team around four months ago, was spared jail.

Instead magistrates ordered her to take part in a four-week curfew.

She was told to remain in her home in Ruskin Road, Worthing, between 7pm and 7am. She was also ordered to pay Miss Montgomery £200 compensation, a £60 victim surcharge and £60 court costs.

Speaking after the case, Miss Montgomery said: “Glenis left me so she could go and steal from me.

“I have cerebral palsy and she was my PA, but she abused my trust.

“At first I didn't notice but then I saw it on my back account.

“I was really upset.”

She told how Rhead to steal money from a piggy bank-style box she had while she was in the shower, using it to buy the music voucher.

“It has really knocked me for six,” she said.

“How can people do that?

“I am very upset. I have lost my trust in people as a result of it.

“She was meant to care for me but went straight out my flat to the nearest bank and withdrew my money.

“I asked her to take £10 for food - she ended up taking £100 for herself.

“I am appalled.”

Worthing and Arun Caremark Team - who still had Rhead's details on their website yesterday - said they did not want to provide a statement.

Attempts were made to contact Rhead and she had not responded to requests for a comment.