Carer, 42, sentenced over theft

Wednesday 12th March 2008, 11:43AM GMT.

A care home worker from the Shropshire/Powys border who stole pain relief tablets prescribed for a resident and replaced them with artificial sweeteners has been handed a community order.

Gaynor Sides, 42, of Llandysilio, was working at Bourton Grange in Llanymynech, when she started stealing the Oxycodone capsules prescribed for a resident with back pain.

The mother-of-nine said she did it because her own prescribed tablets for back pain were not working.

At Oswestry Magistrates Court yesterday, Sides, who had previously admitted the theft, was handed an 18-month order with a supervision requirement and ordered to pay £34 costs.

Mr Nick Hughes, prosecuting, said Sides had taken the powder out of the Oxycodone capsules between October 13 and November 14 last year.

Mr Alun Williams, for Sides, said his client was extremely remorseful. She had just returned to work after the birth of her daughter and was suffering from excruciating back pain.

View more: Mid Wales news, Oswestry news.