A WOMAN with breast cancer has described a Derriford Hospital security guard who stole the £1,000 she donated to a cancer charity as being the "lowest of the low".

Kerry Barker, from West Park, who has been undergoing chemotherapy for about 18 weeks, said she feels "sick and angry" over the actions of Daniel Wills.

Wills, of Bicton Close, Leigham, appeared in Plymouth Magistrates Court last Wednesday and admitted stealing £1,200 on September 5 from a safe at Macmillan's Mustard Tree Centre at Derriford Hospital.

This figure included £1,000 which was donated by Miss Barker, a mother of two, the day before the 23-year-old stole it.

"He's not just stolen from me, he's stolen from everyone who supported me, the charity, and everyone who would have benefited from the charity's work," said 36-year-old Kerry.

"It makes me feel sick and angry.

"I just cannot believe that this has happened.

"As far as I am aware he is the lowest of the low and I hope he is made to pay the money back."

Despite battling her disease, which was diagnosed in April, Kerry said she had been determined to raise the money for charity.

She was diagnosed a week after her 36th birthday and said it "knocked her for six".

Her grandmother had suffered breast cancer as well as some of her friends so she knew the impact the disease has on lives.

Kerry said she raised the money to "give something back" to the kind-hearted staff at the Macmillan centre.

"For that split second when you're there with them, you forget you have something wrong with you because of their support," the hairdresser added.

"I just wanted to say thank you to them by raising money. The charity is and always has been close to my heart.

"The only reason we donated the money then was because we didn't want someone breaking into our house and walking off with the cash."

Kerry said numerous members of her family and friends had been raising money throughout the year in aid of Macmillan and the Primrose Foundation, which supports women with breast cancer.

The aim was to split the money at the end of the year between the two charities.

"We staged a sponsored head and chest shave in August which raised about £1,400," Kerry added.

"My mum, sister, my eldest son, and my brother had their heads and chests shaved.

"We also organised a charity football match a few weeks later which raised another £1,000.

"It was hard work but it was a lot of fun. A lot of people wanted to help me and support the people who are helping me.

"I said when we got to the end of the year we would split the money but my mum was worried about having it around the house."

Last week Wills was warned that he faces a long prison sentence.

Magistrates released him on unconditional bail to appear before a crown court judge because they felt their own maximum powers of six months in prison were not enough.

Presiding magistrate Patricia Southby-Tailyour told the court: "We feel that the offence is so serious that you should receive greater punishment than we can impose. It is a total breach of trust.

"You were employed as a security guard at Derriford Hospital and used that knowledge. The money was lost to a charity and had been donated by a patient."

Wills has been released on unconditional bail until he is sentenced at Plymouth Crown Court on November 23.