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Carer caught stealing cash from elderly victim in Cornwall

A carer has avoided a jail sentence despite being caught on camera stealing money from an elderly dementia sufferer.

Sophy Retallick was spotted on CCTV taking cash from the purse of an 83-year-old woman she was supposed to be caring for.

The woman, known as Ivy, whose full identity is being protected by her family, suffers from dementia and her son noticed she had less money than usual.

He became concerned so installed CCTV cameras in his mothers home in Truro, Cornwall, and caught Retallick in the act.

Retallick was reported to Cornwall police and attended a voluntary interview, in which she admitted her crimes.

Last week at Truro Magistrates' Court Retallick was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months. As reported by Cornwall Live the chair of the magistrates' bench told her: "This was extremely serious, deliberate offending over a period of time."

Retallick must complete 80 hours of unpaid work, as well as ten rehabilitation activity requirement sessions. Financial penalties include £250 in compensation to the victim, £85 court costs and a £110 victim surcharge.

After the hearing, Ivy's son said: "It was an appalling crime, my mother has worked hard all her life and she has little savings. The idea that someone who had access to her house was taking the money was very upsetting for us all.

"Most carers do a fantastic job and this woman has brought her profession into disrepute, which the magistrates have recognised."