Carer Jailed for Stealing Thousands in Jewelry from Elderly Client
A secret camera captured Lara Jones, 50, stealing £8,000 worth of jewelry from an elderly client's home in Surrey.
Lara Jones, 50, has been sentenced to three years in prison after being found guilty of burglary for stealing approximately £8,000 worth of jewelry from an elderly client. The theft was uncovered when the client's family installed secret cameras after becoming suspicious.
On her second shift at the victim's home in Oxted, Surrey, on November 26, 2025, Jones was recorded rummaging through drawers and a wardrobe, pocketing valuable items. The family had initially become suspicious after Jones's first shift when an earring belonging to the client was found at the top of the stairs shortly after the carer had left. Upon checking the jewelry box, they discovered that several expensive pieces were missing.
Fearing the new carer might be responsible, the family set up hidden cameras in the bedroom, which then captured Jones in the act.
On December 3, 2025, the victim's daughter reported to the police that their elderly and vulnerable father was with his new carer, whom they had observed going through bedroom drawers and cupboards. Jones was arrested on suspicion of burglary, and the stolen items were found on her person.
"Having someone violate your trust in your own home, at a time when you are at your most vulnerable, is devastating," the victim's family stated. "The emotional impact has been profound, and it has made an already difficult situation even harder. We are immensely grateful to Surrey Police and the Crown Prosecution Service for their dedication, compassion and determination in securing this conviction."
Detective Constable Jen Trudel, who led the investigation, commented, "The family were so disheartened that someone they let into their home to care for a loved one could be so heartless as to steal from them at the first opportunity. This has made them wary of letting anyone into their home despite the much-needed respite required."
Jones pleaded not guilty but was convicted at Guildford Crown Court on October 9, of three counts of burglary. In addition to her prison sentence, she was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £228.