A FORMER nursing home manager at Pirton Grange Nursing home near Pershore has appeared in court charged with defrauding residents out of thousands of pounds over a one-and-a-half year period.

Susie Forbes, of Hanley Castle, near Malvern, was before Worcester magistrates yesterday facing six counts of theft, six of false accountancy and 12 of obtaining property by deception.

All 24 charges were alleged to have taken place between May 11, 2002 and November 12 the following year, while she was employed by the nursing home.

Over the 18-month period, she is alleged to have stolen cash from residents, and dishonestly gained clothing, wine and membership to a country club to the value of £50,000.

The 52-year-old, formerly managing director at the care home in Pirton, near Pershore, entered no plea to the charges and magistrates ordered the case to be sent to crown court.

Forbes was released on unconditional bail until Wednesday, June 15, when she will reappear before magistrates for committal to Worcester Crown Court.

She declined to comment to the Worcester News after the hearing yesterday.

Forbes worked at Pirton Grange Nursing Home from 1997 until November 28, 2003.

Care home chairman, David Anderson, said: "Pirton has worked closely with the investigating bodies to ensure a complete and thorough investigation."