The victim had noticed money had disappeared two weeks in a row while she ran a regular bingo session at the supporting living complex where she lived
A pensioner who suspected someone was stealing from her home, devised a scheme to uncover the truth. Teaming up with a friend, the pair set a trap in her supported living flat.
And they caught the thief red-handed as she took money from the victim’s purse. Now, cleaner Modesta Kelpsaite has been sentenced after being convicted of burglary.
Peterborough Crown Court heard how the victim, who is in her late 60s, had spent the evening of February 21 last year hosting a bingo session in the community lounge at the complex in Eaglesthorpe, Millfield. However, upon returning to her flat, she noticed her purse had been moved from under her coffee table and cash was missing.
A week later she returned from the bingo session and noticed the same thing but this time, even more money was missing. She confided in a fellow resident, and together they hatched a plan to catch the culprit in action.
The victim would attend the bingo as usual the following week, while her friend would hide inside the flat, reports the Express. The next Thursday, the friend was concealed in the flat around 7pm when she heard someone enter and begin rifling through the living room table.
She began recording on her mobile phone and confronted Kelpsaite, who was employed as a cleaner at the supported living facility. Kelpsaite was taken into custody after being arrested at her home in Century Square, Millfield, Peterborough, on April 16 last year and underwent questioning. She claimed that she was tidying up in the shared stairwell when a plant pot was accidentally toppled, resulting in keys falling out.
She insisted she had tried them in the door of the nearby flat and was trying to return them to their rightful owner. She said it was then that she was confronted by the woman who had been hiding inside.
She was released on bail for further investigations to be carried out. The 36-year-old woman was subsequently charged with burglary of a dwelling and theft, which included taking £500 in cash, which she admitted in court.
She appeared at Peterborough Crown Court last week and was sentenced to 10 months in prison, suspended for two years. She must complete 100 hours of unpaid work and a 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement.
She was also given a five-year criminal behaviour order (CBO) which bans her from working in a care home or supported living setting. Detective Constable Pete Wise, who investigated the incident, said: “Burglary is an incredibly intrusive crime.
“Kelpsaite was in a position of trust and allowed into people’s homes to clean while they were there, and had no right entering of her own accord. She is now subject of a CBO which, if she breaches it, could result in a prison sentence.”
