Thief, you’re on candid camera
Memo to bent carers: you must know by now how easy it is to install hidden cameras in homes.
That’s why people like Graziella Avetti end up in court, after being filmed stuffing £130 into her bra.
The thief stole the cash from the 90-year-old woman she was supposed to be caring for, and was caught by a tiny camera that was installed by the woman’s family after jewellery worth £20,000 disappeared.
Avetti, 61, from Long Eaton, Derbys, admitted theft and was given a 12-month community order and 160 hours’ unpaid work by Nottingham Crown Court.
A slap on the wrist, in other words. Criminals can be given stiffer hate-crime penalties if they target someone because of their race, sexuality or a disability – and in 2019 I’d like to see the same penalties apply to anyone who targets older people. Some companies could do with improving their customer service this year.
Glenice Francis of Sydenham, South East London, has been chasing £127 that she was owed by utility Economy Energy since last May.
She says that she’s been left on hold when phoning and her letter has not been answered.
“I would really like my money back as I am 77 and it would come in handy for the winter fuel bills,” she told me.
I got stuck in and was delighted when Glenice told me she now has her money.
“Where it took me almost six months of trying, it took you only just over a week,” she said.
Shame it took a national newspaper to prod the company into action.