CLEANER JAILED FOR £20,000 JEWELLERY THEFT

Gran pocketed goods from homes

ACLEANER has been jailed after she stole thousands of pounds of jewellery and cash from homes she worked in.

She admitted a string of thefts, including rings with “much sentimental value” from a 75-yearold lady, which were never found.

A CLEANER who “plundered” almost £20,000 worth of jewellery and cash from houses where she worked has been jailed.

Grandmother Clare Robertson, 43, pocketed goods from houses the west end and Tradeston, as well as Bearsden.

She stole rings with “much sentimental value” from a 75-yearold lady who lived with her 82-year-old husband, which were never found.

Robertson, from Yoker, Glasgow, pleaded guilty yesterday at the city’s sheriff court to a string of charges including five thefts between June 2015 and October, last year. She also admitted two charges of “converting criminal property” by using jewellery to secure loans for £1000 and £400.

Sheriff Norman Ritchie QC jailed Robertson for 16 months.

He said: “You have plundered the homes of people who invited you in to their homes, they put their trust in you.

“You have betrayed that trust and not only did you take items of value, you took items of sentimental value, items which are now lost.”

The sheriff added that he “didn’t doubt” that she is deeply sorry or that her remorse is genuine but said “it has to be a custodial sentence”.

The court heard Robertson was employed as a cleaner at a house in Cleveden Drive between June 2015 and June, last year.

The owner noticed that items of jewellery including a £4000 diamond ring, six gold bangles and two silver rings were missing.

In June, last year, Robertson used the diamond to secure a £1000 loan at a pawnbrokers in Knightswood – it was later returned.

While working at house at Highburgh Road, between May and October 2015, Robertson stole a £50 Amazon voucher and a jar of 20p coins thought to be worth £2200.

Fiscal depute Lauren Staunton said Robertson worked between March and April, last year, at a property in Bearsden where she cleaned for an elderly couple who were 82 and 75.

Eight rings were taken including an engagement ring with a large sapphire and six diamonds.

Robertson also pocketed six rings worth £2850 at a second property in Bearsden.

The court heard after employing Robertson to clean at a property in Tradeston on September 30, last year, the owner noticed three rings worth £7900 were missing.

It was said on behalf of Robertson that she is remorseful for her crimes and it has had a “devastating effect on her family”.