A DROITWICH woman who admitted stealing cash from an elderly woman was only caught after her family installed a hidden camera in her flat, a court has heard.

Leeanne Edwards of Teme Crescent appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court on Monday, January 12 where she pleaded guilty to stealing £120 from an 85-year-old woman living in sheltered housing complex The Herriotts in Worcester Way, Droitwich, between Friday, May 16 and Tuesday, September 9 last year.

The court heard the 38-year-old had been employed by the family of the victim – who is in the early stages of dementia – to visit her every evening to make sure she has taken her daily medication and had everything she needed before going to bed.

Prosecutor Claire Linehan said the family first noticed something was wrong when money started going missing. They then decided to install a hidden camera in the flat in an attempt to find out who was responsible.

“Going through the CCTV it was quite apparent she (Edwards) had entered the property and gone through a few items and looked through them,” she said.

“It was even seen she was wiping down the drawers to remove any fingerprints.”

Although Edwards had admitted taking the money when she was arrested, she later retracted this admission and pleaded not guilty when she first appeared in court on Monday, September 29 2014, but then changed her plea this week.

Addressing the bench, Kate Oliver, defending, she: “She (Edwards) knows you will not be impressed at all that his is a vulnerable victim”.

Warning Edwards she could face a jail sentence, the bench bailed her to return to court for sentencing on Friday, February 6 on the condition she does entre The Herriotts or contact the victim in any way.

Speaking after the court appearance, the victim’s son-in-law Edward Helps said he had spoken to the police about his concerns but was told there was nothing they could do to help, so decided to set up the camera.

“After about a week of the camera being in there I was able to see Leeanne," he said. "If my mother-in-law wasn’t in the room she went through the drawers.

“On one occasion she took my mother-in-law to the toilet and then went straight to her handbag, covering her hands so she didn’t leave any fingerprints.

“Still the police didn’t help.

“Eventually I said if you’re not going to do anything then I’m going to go round and sort it out.

“Within an hour they had arrested her.”

He said his mother-in-law had been deeply upset by the thefts.

“Her trust in carers is totally shot,” he said “She loved this girl (Edwards). When she saw the footage she couldn’t quite believe it.

“The amount of money is insignificant, but it’s about getting the word out.”

Executive director for Fortis Living Clare Huyton said the management of The Herriotts had met with Mr Helps to discuss his concerns and had worked with him and his mother-in-law.

"He (Mr Helps) asked it (the hidden camera) was kept a secret from staff and other residents as he didn’t want the carer to know about the surveillance," she said.

A West Mercia Police spokesman said Mr Helps should contact them if he wished to complain about the incident.

"West Mercia Police is committed to providing a professional service at all times and when a complaint is received it is always investigated thoroughly and robustly," she said.

"If it is felt conduct fell below our usual high standards it will be dealt with appropriately."