Carer jailed for stealing £3 in hidden camera sting

The family of Olive Smith's 89-year-old victim had feared money was disappearing from her flat and installed a camera inside an air freshener.

Mother-of-two Smith was filmed taking coins from the pensioner's handbag at her flat in Smethwick, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.

Mr Richard Gibbs, prosecuting, said: "Film from the concealed device showed a woman employee come into the room, pick up the lady's handbag and take coins of low value out of a purse, which was then returned to the bag by the woman before she left."

Smith, a 48-year-old grandmother, had worked at Holly Grange Supported Accommodation complex for seven-and-a-half years.

She admitted a count of theft, which happened on July 7 last year.

Sentencing her yesterday, Judge Michael Challinor said the victim had been 'preyed on in a contemptible way'.

"This lady was in your care and although only a small amount of money was stolen it was a significant breach of trust," he said.

"The distress caused to her family must have been considerable because she was ill treated and preyed on in a contemptible way.

"Carers and others responsible for looking after the elderly and vulnerable must realise that they face custody if they steal."

In mitigation, the court heard Smith, of Lincoln Road in Walsall, had 'lost her good name and her job'.

Mr Gurdeep Garcha, defending, said: "She takes full responsibility for her offending, makes no excuses and is deeply apologetic.

"She is a broken woman who has lost her good name and employment.

"She also has to face the humiliation of the finger point that people who commit this kind of offence must endure."

But he added: "This was a single incident involving loose change from a purse.

"It was not repeated thefts. She has lost everything she had achieved in life for the sake of a few coins. It was an aberration."