Caught On Camera: Carer Steals Cash From Purse Of 92-Year-Old Cancer Survivor
A hidden camera captured a callous carer stealing money from a 92-year-old woman.
Lorraine Cenci, 44, left the elderly victim on the toilet as she took two £20 notes from her bag – but was arrested after being caught in the act.
Cenci was unaware that the widow’s family had set up the recording device after becoming suspicious about money going missing from the house.
They watched in horror as the live stream showed the carer, who they pay up to £1,500 a month, stealing from their aunt.
Cenci, of Enfield, north London, avoided jail when her 18-week prison sentence was suspended for 12 months at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
Niece Debi Riley and her husband Danny acted like “MI5” to trap the carer, who works for SureCare.
Cenci took the money while the elderly woman was on the toilet (SWNS)
They rang the police after seeing Cenci pocket the cash.
Debi, 52, said: “I knew it was going to be a lax sentence, that’s why we have gone to the press to get as much exposure as we can.
"Care companies need to be more stringent with the staff they employ.”
Mr Riley, a 57-year-old cabbie, added: “When it’s someone caring for the vulnerable they should be dealt with as strongly as possible. She should never be in a position of trust again.
Cenci has been fired from her job as a carer (SWNS)
"My heart bleeds for the people who haven’t got anybody to do this."
The family set up the sting operation, hiding the camera on the bedside cabinet of the widow’s home in Enfield, and even wrote down the notes’ serial numbers.
The court heard how Cenci justified the theft as a "moment of madness” to fund a Mother’s Day dinner.
Sentencing, District Judge Julia Newton said: “It was an abuse of trust on one of the most vulnerable members of society.
"This is an extremely serious offence. You took advantage of the employment to pay for a meal."
Cenci seen pocketing the cash (SWNS)
The type of camera used (SWNS)
The family became suspicious when £210 went missing on three occasions starting in January and so they set up the camera.
The court also ordered Cenci, who has lost her job, to carry out 80 hours’ unpaid work, pay back the £40 in compensation, pay £85 costs and an £80 victim surcharge.
In a statement, SureCare said: "We suspended the care worker in question as soon as we became aware of the allegation and subsequently dismissed her for gross misconduct."
