Thieving cleaner is jailed for 16 months

A CLEANER who plundered almost £20,000 worth of jewellery and cash from houses where she worked has been jailed for 16 months.

Grandmother Clare Robertson, 43, pocketed goods from houses in Glasgow’s west end and Tradeston, as well as Bearsden.

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

Robertson from Yoker, Glasgow pled guilty at the city’s sheriff court to a string of charges including five thefts between June 2015 and October 2016.

She also admitted two charges of “converting criminal property” by using jewellery to secure loans for £1000 and £400.

Yesterday sheriff Norman Ritchie QC jailed Robertson for 16 months. He said: “The property was heading towards £20,000. “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.”

Robertson was employed as a cleaner at a house in Cleveden Drive between June 2015 and June 2016. The owner noticed that items of jewellery including a £4,000 diamond ring, six gold bangles and two silver rings were missing.

In June 2016, Robertson used a stolen diamond to secure a £1,000 loan at a pawnbrokers.

She even took a large jar of 20p coins, thought to be worth £2,200, from one property.