A pensioner who thought someone was stealing from her hatched a plot to get to the truth. Joining with her friend, the two set a trap at the supported living flat where she lived.

And the crafty duo caught the thief red-handed as she stole money from the victim's purse. Now cleaner Modesta Kelpsaite has been sentenced after being convicted of burglary - including stealing £500 in cash.

Peterborough Crown Court was told how the victim, who was in her late 60s, had spent the evening of February 21 last year running a bingo session in the community lounge at the complex in Eaglesthorpe, Millfield. But when she returned the her flat she notice her purse had moved from under her coffee table and cash was missing.

The following week when she came home from the bingo, she noticed the same thing. This time there was even more money missing.

She told a fellow resident, and they came up with a plan to catch the offender in the act. The victim would go to the bingo as normal the following week, while her friend would hide inside the flat.

The following Thursday, the friend was hiding in the flat at about 7pm when she heard someone enter and start rummaging around the living room table. She started filming on her mobile phone and confronted Kelpsaite, who was employed to clean at the supported living facility.

Kelpsaite was arrested at her home in Century Square, Millfield, Peterborough, on April 16 last year and interviewed. She claimed she was cleaning in the communal stairway when she knocked over a plant pot and some keys had fallen out.

She used them to try the door of the nearby flat, with the intention of returning them to the owner, when she was confronted by the woman inside. The 36-year-old was released on bail while further enquiries were carried out, but later charged with dwelling burglary, including theft of £500 in cash, which she admitted in court.

She appeared at Peterborough Crown Court earlier this month where she was sentenced to 10 months in prison, suspended for two years. She must complete 100 hours of unpaid work and a 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement.

She was also given a five-year criminal behaviour order (CBO). This bans her from working in a care home or supported living setting.

Detective Constable Pete Wise, who investigated, said: “Burglary is an incredibly intrusive crime – Kelpsaite was in a position of trust and allowed into people’s homes to clean while they were there, and had no right entering of her own accord. She is now subject of a CBO which, if she breaches it, could result in a prison sentence.”