A THEFT victim has spoken out saying that “crime pays” after a cleaner who stole more than £23,000 worth of jewellery was given a 10 month suspended prison term and 100 hours of unpaid work.

Kim Jane Skidmore, of Troy Way, Monmouth appeared at Cardiff Crown Court on Monday (3rd October) charged with two counts of theft from a property in Cwmcarvan where she was employed as a cleaner at the time. Skidmore, who is 52, was sentenced to a 10 month prison sentence suspended for 18 months, was ordered to pay £100 costs and must do 100 hours of unpaid work after pleading guilty to two counts of theft.

Petra Moss spoke to the Beacon after the sentencing. She said: “I feel like she got away with it.

Mrs Moss added: “The court showed her that crime pays.”

At the time of going to print none of the jewellery had been returned and, despite searching online, Mrs Moss says she has been told by police that the items have probably been melted down or buried.

The items stolen include a five-carat white gold ring with one-carat diamond, heavy gold necklace with matching bracelet and her diamond engagement ring, with a total value of £23,000.

After Skidmore stole jewellery once, Mrs Moss says she has video footage of her putting jewellery into her underwear and then footage of her taking it out and placing it into a handbag in February this year.

“I had video footage with one set of video equipment but you couldn’t see her taking anything; only looking, and it wasn’t sufficient the first time,” she added.

“The video footage of her taking things from my daughter’s room came two weeks later when I had better video equipment.”

With Skidmore caught ‘red handed,’ Mrs Moss says she was given the option to hand the jewellery back and not involve the police, but this was not possible.

“We had her confession on tape,” she added.

Skidmore was sentenced on Monday after pleading guilty in a previous hearing.