A FORMER nursing home carer who admitted fraudulently withdrawing cash from a resident's bank account will face a fresh court hearing after disputing the amount taken.

Alison Robson, of Westbury Street, Thornaby, previously pleaded guilty at Teesside Crown Court to fraud between November 5, 2011 and September 12, 2013, which the prosecution said amounted to £5,750 for her own use.

But her barrister Andrew Teate said she had now changed the basis of her plea, meaning a so-called Newton hearing will now have to be held which will hear evidence from both the defendant and complainant.

Mr Teate said: “It is her contention that at least £3,500 was spent directly on the complainant to purchase food and various other items he required.

“That is not accepted by [the complainant], although he does concede that he received a modest amount of toiletries and confectionery items.”

Rachel Masters, prosecuting, said it was very unlikely that the current basis of plea would be accepted by the prosecution also.

Robson, who previously worked at the Poplars care home in Thornaby, looked on from the dock as Recorder Toby Hedworth told her another hearing would have to be held to determine the amount stolen.

She was given unconditional bail and will return to court on a date yet to be fixed.

The 49-year-old, who was supposed to safeguard the victim's financial interests, was previously suspended and then formally dismissed on January 6 this year from her job by employer Mimosa Healthcare, which owns the care home.