Teddy-Cam Catches Carer Thief

A terminally ill woman's family caught her care assistant stealing from her by disguising a camera in a teddy bear.

Robert Sampson, 46, and Emma, 21, a forensic scientist graduate, fitted a tiny camera in the cuddly toy's eye socket in the home of Thelma Sampson, 75.

Mrs Sampson who has end-stage leukaemia noticed money going missing from her purse at her home in Walton in July.

Care assistant, Yvonne Allen, 28, of Halewood, Liverpool, was sentenced to six months in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of theft, last week.

Mr Sampson said they had to get a carer who worked for the primary care trust (PCT) and the next day his mother noticed that £40 had gone from her purse.

"Emma wrote down the serial numbers on three £20 notes in my mum's purse and we got a £55 camera from the local DIY store.

"We thought it would be a long process but she was greedy."

With enough evidence of the theft, Mr Sampson then called the police and gave them the serial numbers.

"What she has done to this family is unbelievable. It was hard enough to get a carer in to look after my mum, this is someone you trust with your life," Mr Sampson added.

When confronted, it is reported that Allen said she needed the money to pay off her mounting debts.

District Judge Ian Lomax, sitting at the Community Justice Centre, Liverpool, said the NHS employee had committed a "breach of trust of the worst kind".

Allen has agreed to pay £60 compensation to Mrs Sampson, who is "pleased" about the sentence.

Mr Sampson added that his mother has had "justice before she dies".

Bernie Cuthel, Managing Director of Liverpool PCT Provider Services said Liverpool Primary Care Trust has "fully supported Merseyside Police in this investigation and the member of staff was immediately suspended following their arrest".

Mr Cuthel added that after the employee pleaded guilty to all charges, an internal disciplinary was held and "the person is no longer employed by Liverpool PCT".

(DS)