POLICE used hidden cameras to catch a cleaner stealing from one of her former customers.

Evelyn Clemant, 46, carried on visiting the 86-year-old woman, who had memory problems, at her home on Barcroft Road in Newsome after she stopped cleaning for her.

The woman’s son called police over concerns money was going missing.

Officers installed CCTV in the house and planted £40 in marked notes in her handbag.

The cameras caught Clemant dipping into the bag, pinching the cash and stuffing it in her bra during a visit on November 17 last year. Clemant, of Hall Cross Road, Lowerhouses, originally denied theft but later changed her plea to guilty.

She was given a 12-month community order with supervision, 240 hours of unpaid work, an eight-week curfew and £60 costs by Huddersfield magistrates.

Pc Anne Gilliver, who investigated the case, said: “This was a despicable crime against a vulnerable victim.

“The majority of people that work in positions of trust are good, honest individuals, but there is the odd bad apple.

“We would ask people to take note of what has happened in this case and for family and neighbours of elderly and vulnerable people to be vigilant.

“Don’t be frightened to report matters to the police.”