By Ashlie McAnally 

A YOKER cleaner who “plundered” almost £20,000 worth of jewellery and cash from houses where she worked has been jailed for 16 months.

Grandmother Clare Robertson, 43, pocketed goods from houses in Glasgow’s posh west end and Tradeston, as well as Bearsden.

She stole rings with "much sentimental value" from a 75-year-old lady who lived with her 82-year-old husband, which were never found.

Robertson, from Yoker, pleaded guilty last month at Glasgow Sheriff Court to a string of charges including five thefts between June 2015 and October 2016.

She also admitted two charges of “converting criminal property” by using jewellery to secure loans for £1000 and £400.

Today Sheriff Norman Ritchie QC jailed Robertson for 16 months.

He said: “The property was heading towards £20,000.

“You have plundered the homes of people who invited you in to their homes, they put their trust in you.

“You have betrayed that trust and not only did you take items of value, you took items of sentimental value, items which are now lost.”

The sheriff added that he “didn’t doubt” that she is deeply sorry or that her remorse is genuine but said “it has to be a custodial sentence”.

The court heard Robertson was employed as a cleaner at a house in Cleveden Drive between June 2015 and June 2016.

The owner noticed that items of jewellery including a £4000 diamond ring, six gold bangles and two silver rings were missing.

In June 2016, Robertson used the diamond to secure a £1000 loan at a pawnbrokers in Knightswood, it was later returned.

While working at house at Highburgh Road, Glasgow, between May and October 2015, Robertson stole a £50 Amazon voucher and a jar of 20p coins thought to be worth £2,200.

Fiscal depute Lauren Staunton said Robertson worked between March and April 2016 at a property in Bearsden where she cleaned for an elderly couple who were 82 and 75.

Eight rings were taken including an engagement ring with a large sapphire and six diamonds.

She said the jewellery was unable to be valued but had "much sentimental value”.

Robertson also pocketed six rings worth £2,850 at a second property in Bearsden.

The court heard after employing Robertson to clean at a property in Tradeston on September 30, 2016 the owner noticed three rings worth £7,900 were missing.

Miss Staunton said: “The complainer on that occasion contacted the accused who said that she didn’t have the rings.

“She thereafter spoke to her on October 10 whereby the accused advised that she has being treated for depression and couldn’t remember what she had done that day.

“She advised the complainer she would assist her getting her jewellery back.

“The jewellery was thereafter recovered.”

Dollars amounting to $400 and a bottle filled with 50 pence and £1 coins were also taken but they weren’t returned.

One of the rings was used to secure a £400 loan at a shop in Patrick but was returned to its owner.

It was said on behalf of Robertson that she is remorseful for her crimes and it has had a “devastating effect on her family”.