A centenarian's life savings were "plundered" by a woman paid to care for him, Magistrates' Court heard yesterday.

The trial of Gaynette Holder, accused of stealing almost $32,000 from 100-year-old George Welch while she cared for him, started yesterday.

Previously Holder pleaded guilty to the 14 counts of theft, but later rescinded it saying she felt strong-armed into the plea by her lawyer.

Yesterday, she denied stealing thousands of dollars from Mr. Welch, who turns 101 next week, while she cared for the former marine pilot.

Prosecutor Robert Welling told the court that during 2005 when Holder looked after Mr. Welch, his life savings of more than $110,000 were depleted to less than $20,000.

He told the court the defendant was hired in February 2005 to clean and cook meals for Mr. Welch, through home help agency We Care, when he became infirm.

By June, she had secured the elderly man's power of attorney and the following month he began employing her directly, dispensing with the agency.

"This gave Gaynette total and absolute control over his life and in doing so, we say, she abused her power of attorney," he told the court.

Holder, of Park Lane, Pembroke, drew money from his bank accounts to pay off her debts and bills and bought jewellery and furniture for herself and her family, as well as stealing the pensioner's belongings Mr. Welling alleged.

And he added that these were just some examples where the Crown believed Holder had misspent Mr. Welch's money, adding that more examples would be given throughout the trial.

According to Mr. Welling an analysis of the senior's bank accounts showed that he lived within his means in 2004, having a monthly income of $1,400, spending about $1,300 and not drawing on his savings accounts. His expenses increased in 2005 due to him buying a new car, needing care and costly medical treatment overseas. But by the time Mrs. Holder gained "full control of his life", said Mr. Welling, his average monthly expenditure was $14,397 as she "plundered" his savings.

"When you look at the way it was spent, you will be driven to one conclusion" he said. "You will be able to see it was spent for Holder and not George Welch."

The prosecutor also alleged that Holder, and her family, moved into Mr. Welch's house and lived rent free there, with Mr. Welch paying for all the bills. He said they left when Mr. Welch's niece Esther James-Liverpool was tipped off about the situation and returned to the Island.

The first witness called yesterday was a long time friend of Mr. Welch's, Lydia Foggo.

Mrs. Foggo described the centenarian as a "joyful" friend who at times could be stubborn and often reminisced about his wife Mable, who died two decades ago. She added that Mr. Welch enjoyed comparing his savings to hers and seeing which one had amassed more over the years.

On April 8, 2005, Mrs. Foggo said she was contacted by Holder and told Mr. Welch wanted to switch his power of attorney from his niece Ms James-Liverpool to Mrs. Foggo, because he believed his niece was stealing from him.

Mrs. Foggo joined the two at a doctors appointment, to determine Mr. Welch's mental state, and the law firm of Conyers Dill & Pearman. She added that she no longer had his power of attorney after June 28, 2005.

Under cross examination from defence lawyer Marc Daniels Mrs. Foggo vehemently denied having an affair with Mr. Welch, adding that her husband was friends with him as well and she had been friendly with his wife prior to her death.

She also acknowledged, after first stating she had never received a gift from him, that she had received $100 as a Christmas gift from Mr. Welch "four or five times" during the 40 years of their friendship.

The trial continues today.