Cleaner escapes jail for jewellery theft
41 year old Stephanie Holland took gold watches and jewellery belonging to Patricia Clark, who's 73
A trusted cleaner has avoided a prison sentence after stealing "irreplaceable and priceless" family heirlooms worth more than £20,000 from her employer, a court heard.
Stephanie Holland, 41, took gold watches and jewellery belonging to Patricia Clark, 73, from her home while working for her.
Gloucester Crown Court heard Holland was so trusted by the family that she had a key to their home in Stonehouse, Gloucestershire.
The jewellery, which belonged to Mrs Clark's mother, was kept in a secure cabinet in the garage and only Holland and the victim knew where the keys were kept.
Mrs Clark only discovered the sentimental items were missing in December 2022 and reported it to the police.
Arthur Sutton, prosecuting, told the court police recovered receipts from jewellers in Stroud for a 9ct gold watch, an 18ct gold watch and a chain, and photographs Holland had of some of the items on her phone.
Valuations made 30 years ago valued the items £10,500 and it was estimated the jewellery was now worth between £20,000 and £25,000, the court heard.
In a victim impact statement read to the court, Mrs Clark said Holland not only helped with the cleaning but also did shopping for her and had access to her purse and bank cards.
"She was more than a cleaner," she said.
"She had access to my bank cards, and I would happily let her go into my purse. I believed her to be trustworthy.
"The incident related to the loss of irreplaceable, sentimental and priceless pieces of jewellery."
Mrs Clark said she was "extremely distraught and upset" to learn the jewellery was missing and phoned Holland who denied any knowledge of the theft.
In the statement she said Holland had told her of "how hard-up she was" but was later able to buy several expensive household white goods items and take a holiday abroad.
"She said her son had a new job and was treating her. There was also a holiday abroad, which was completely out of character," Mrs Clark said.
She added: "It feels like the ultimate betrayal and like a bereavement. I am mourning the loss of sentimental heirlooms.
"It has completely destroyed my trust in people, and I am not sure I will ever get over this."
The court heard Holland, a mother and grandmother, had received a caution in 2006 for burglary but was otherwise of good character.
At an earlier hearing, Holland, of Vosper Croft, Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire pleaded guilty to theft, which was committed between April 2021 and December 2022.
Steve Young, defending, said Holland sold the jewellery for around £3,000 to meet rent arrears.
"Her family and friends were not able to help with those rent arrears and out of desperation she stole that jewellery," he said.
"She says it was not pre-planned but the opportunity was there and she took it.
"That is not mitigation but is an explanation. She is both bitterly ashamed and remorseful."
He added: "She wasn't living a luxurious lifestyle, I hear what is said in the victim personal statement but there is no evidence that she sold the items for a great deal more than that."
Judge Rupert Lowe imposed a 20-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, and ordered her to complete 10 rehabilitation days and 100 hours' unpaid work.
"The reason you appear before the crown court is that you committed a really horrible theft against a woman who employed you as a cleaner and utterly trusted you, and gave you a key to their house," he said.
"She paid you for cleaning and you became an important friend.
"She was proud of the jewellery, as it was very personal to her, to her mother and grandchildren.
"They were family heirlooms, not just of enormous value, but heirlooms. And she trusted you as a friend - not much of a friend."
Holland will also face Proceeds of Crime Act proceedings to recoup what she stole.