Trusted Gloucestershire cleaner steals priceless family heirlooms including gold watches

Stephanie Holland, 41, took gold watches and jewellery worth more than £20,000
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A trusted cleaner has dodged a jail term after stealing "irreplaceable and priceless" family heirlooms worth over £20,000 from her employer, a court was informed. Stephanie Holland, 41, swiped gold watches and jewellery belonging to Patricia Clark, 73, whilst working in her service.

Gloucester Crown Court heard that Holland was held in such high regard by the family that she was entrusted with a key to their Stonehouse home in Gloucestershire. The treasured items, coming from Mrs Clark's mother, were stashed in a safe cabinet inside the garage, with only Holland and the victim aware of where the keys lay.

It was not until December 2022 when Mrs Clark realised the emotionally significant items had vanished, which led her to contact the authorities. Arthur Sutton, prosecuting, shared with judges how law enforcement found receipts at Stroud jewellers for a 9ct and an 18ct gold watch alongside a chain, alongside photographs of some pieces on Holland’s mobile phone.

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Appraisals from three decades ago priced the jewellery at £10,500, but recent estimates suggest they could now be valued between £20,000 and £25,000, as heard by the court. In a poignant statement read in court, Mrs Clark described the extent of Holland's duties which went beyond mere cleaning, as she would also run errands, including shopping, and had access to her purse and bank cards.

"She was more than a cleaner," Mrs Clark said. "She had access to my bank cards, and I would happily let her go into my purse. I believed her to be trustworthy."

But it's the emotional value that weighs the heaviest for Mrs Clark who lamented: "The incident related to the loss of irreplaceable, sentimental and priceless pieces of jewellery."

Mrs Clark expressed her deep distress upon discovering her jewellery had vanished, stating she immediately contacted Holland who feigned ignorance about the theft. In her statement, Mrs Clark recounted how Holland had lamented her financial struggles, yet subsequently managed to purchase several pricey household appliances and even afford a holiday abroad.

"She said her son had a new job and was treating her. There was also a holiday abroad, which was completely out of character," Mrs Clark remarked. She continued, expressing her profound sense of betrayal: "It feels like the ultimate betrayal and like a bereavement. I am mourning the loss of sentimental heirlooms."

She added: "It has completely destroyed my trust in people, and I am not sure I will ever get over this."

The court learned that Holland, a mother and grandmother with a previous caution for burglary in 2006, had otherwise maintained a good character. At a prior hearing, Holland, from Vosper Croft, Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire, admitted to the theft occurring between April 2021 and December 2022.

Steve Young, defending, explained that Holland sold the jewellery for approximately £3,000 to cover rent arrears, driven by desperation after family and friends couldn't assist.

"Her family and friends were not able to help with those rent arrears and out of desperation she stole that jewellery," he stated. "She says it was not pre-planned but the opportunity was there and she took it."

Young concluded by highlighting Holland's regret, saying: "That is not mitigation but is an explanation. She is both bitterly ashamed and remorseful.

"She wasn’t living a luxurious lifestyle, I hear what is said in the victim personal statement but there is no evidence that she sold the items for a great deal more than that."

Judge Rupert Lowe handed down a 20-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, and commanded her to undertake 10 rehabilitation days and 100 hours’ unpaid work. He addressed the defendant saying: "The reason you appear before the crown court is that you committed a really horrible theft against a woman who employed you as a cleaner and utterly trusted you, and gave you a key to their house.

"She paid you for cleaning and you became an important friend."

He further emphasized: "She was proud of the jewellery, as it was very personal to her, to her mother and grandchildren. They were family heirlooms, not just of enormous value, but heirlooms. And she trusted you as a friend – not much of a friend."

Proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act will be commenced against Holland to recover the stolen goods.