A NURSING auxiliary who stole a purse and house keys from an elderly patient has been warned she faces jail.
After Julie Anne Lemon stole the items from the 72-year old patient in May 2019, her sister and mother became involved in further offending.
They burgled the pensioner's home whilst she was being treated in hospital, taking bank documents then using a stolen bank card.
Julie Anne Lemon (45) appeared at Belfast Crown Court alongside her mother Claire Clarina Lemon (65) and 41-year old sister Michelle Seenan.
All three admitted offences including burglary and were told by Judge Stephen Fowler QC they will be sentenced next week.
Before adjourning sentencing, the Belfast Recorder was told that in April 2019 a widow from Lisburn was admitted to Belfast City Hospital.
The care workers who tended to the pensioner locked her home and placed her handbag containing her purse and keys in the ambulance with her.
Due to a deterioration in her health, she remained in hospital, and at the end of May it emerged that the house keys and purse were missing.
On June 6, 2019 her neighbours in Lisburn noticed two women who pulled up in a taxi and went into the pensioner's home. This happened again on June 11. On that occasion the neighbours spoke to the women. One said she was the pensioner's niece. The neighbours then made contact with the pensioner's sister, who confirmed she didn't have any nieces.
Family changed the locks and informed police.
On June 14, two women were once again seen at the woman's house, but were unable to gain access. They left, and after police were notified were arrested.
Julie Ann Lemon and her mother were searched and the older woman was found to be in possession of the pensioner's bank cards.
A police investigation was launched and it emerged that Julie Ann Lemon worked as a nursing auxiliary at Belfast City Hospital.
Bank records linked to the stolen card were also checked, and CCTV footage of two women withdrawing cash from a machine on Shankill Road was obtained by police.
Julie Ann Lemon admitted stealing the patient's property from the ward. From Altnagarron Mews in Belfast, she admitted going to the woman's house with her mother on two occasions to obtain bank documents, and using the stolen bank card.
Claire Clarina Lemon admitted going to the pensioner's house three time, and using the bank card on seven occasions.
Michelle Seenan, from Tyndale Gardens, was also arrested and admitted going to Lisburn with her mother once, and using the bank card three times.