A Crown court heard how a North Yorkshire woman took money from elderly residents at a residential home to fund her fertility treatment.

Julie Roberts, 38, pleaded guilty to five charges of theft and guilty to one charge of false accounting after she stole money from residents at the Riverview Residential Home on North Street, Goole, because she was desperate to have a child.

Hull Crown Court heard how Roberts, of Kent Road, Selby, had a miscarriage in 1996 and was told she was unable to have children naturally again.

Andrew Golder-Welby, prosecuting, explained how Roberts worked as a book-keeper at the residential home and was responsible for collecting the residents' pensions and placing them in the home's bank account before filling in the accounts books accordingly.

Mr Golder-Welby described how Roberts first stole money from the residents on May 7, 1996, by cashing some of the pension books and keeping it for herself.

He said: "Matters finally came to light in December last year, the home's accountant noticed substantial discrepancies and asked to see Mrs Roberts.

"When the accountant confronted Mrs Roberts she burst into tears and said 'It was me, I took it'. She said she had needed the money for fertility treatment as she was unable to have a child."

The court heard Roberts was immediately sacked from her job. She had managed to steal between three and four thousand pounds from the residents.

Richard Woolfall, mitigating, told the court Roberts was married and had a ten-year-old son from a previous marriage.

Mr Woolfall said: "This was a serious breach of trust. She is a lady of good character who bitterly regrets this offence. It is sincere and genuine regret. She has brought disgrace upon herself and upon her family.

"She became pregnant in early 1996 but shortly after discovering she was pregnant she miscarried.

"She then discovered she was unable to have children naturally and would only become pregnant again by fertility treatment.

"Her husband is disabled and may go blind and lose a leg due to his chronic diabetes. His life expectancy is limited and Mrs Roberts dearly wants a child to him before he dies."

Judge Linda Sutcliffe sentenced Roberts to nine months imprisonment, suspended or two years. She said: "Many women cannot have children and they do not turn to crime to fund it."

Judge Sutcliffe ordered Roberts to be placed on a supervision order for the full term of her suspension.

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