CAUGHT IN THE ACT

Vile carer who stole war medals is jailed after spycam sting

A THIEVING carer has been jailed after a spy camera installed by police filmed her plundering the home of one of several elderly victims.

Treacherous Sonia Maisonave, 51, stole war medals, cash, jewellery and an iPad from vulnerable clients. She was arrested after being caught taking £70 from an envelope containing marked banknotes.

Officers found a huge stash of stolen goods in a cupboard during a search of her house. Her victims had serious illnesses including cancer and Alzheimer’s. Among them was the 96-year-old widow of a Second World War RAF pilot. She only realised a watch, war medals and cufflinks had vanished when police alerted her.

A wheelchair-bound pensioner and his wife – an Alzheimer’s sufferer – had war medals and jewellery taken, while rings were stolen from a woman aged 94.

The callous carer also took an iPad from Parkinson’s sufferer Rick Harrison, 81. The great-grandfather died in February before seeing her face justice. His granddaughter Remi, 25, said: “To pick on elderly, vulnerable people when she was supposed to look after them is disgusting and a real betrayal of trust.”

The theft spree was halted when suspicions grew and police set up a secret camera, Ipswich crown court heard.

Maisonave, of Lowestoft, admitted six thefts between 2011 and 2016 – allegedly to pay

BETRAYAL Thief Sonia Maisonave off gambling debts – and was jailed for 20 months. Judge Rupert Overbury told her: “As a carer, you were in a position of trust. Elderly and infirm people relied on you to carry out your job honestly in their homes – and you didn’t.” Her crimes were committed while working for Manorcourt Homecare, with 16 branches. No one from the firm was available to comment yesterday.