A CARE worker has been spared jail after stealing an elderly woman’s sentimental engagement ring and pawning it for money.

The victim’s daughter turned detective in a bid to get the ring back by contacting jewellery stores, a court heard.

Elizabeth Airey, aged 63, of Lynch Road, Weymouth, was found guilty of theft following a trial at Weymouth Magistrates Court in July.

She has now been sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court, and was given a 12-month jail sentence suspended for two years.

The court heard former Tricuro worker Airey had been caring for 89-year-old Mary Tyzack at her Weymouth home on October 2 last year when the ring went missing.

The following day Airey took the ring to a jewellers and sold it, using her driving licence as identification, for a sum of £43.24.

The court heard Mrs Tyzack died in April and at the time of the theft had been in and out of hospital suffering with ill health.

Her daughter, Helen Woodward, travelled from the West Midlands to stay with her and to arrange for carers to visit when she was discharged.

Prior to her conviction, Airey worked as a carer for 15 years and was entrusted with a key to Mrs Tyzack’s house where her ring was kept in its original box in the bedroom.

Giving evidence, Mrs Woodward said: “I know the ring was there when I left the day before as I had tidied her room.

“I don’t know its monetary value but it is of great sentimental value.”

After reporting the theft to police, Mrs Woodward emailed jewellers a picture of the ring asking if they had seen it.

The manager of Gladstones in Weymouth immediately responded and the ring was collected by a police officer and returned to Mrs Tyzack in hospital.

Mrs Woodward, who wore the ring in court, said she was “absolutely” certain it was the same ring.

The court was also presented with care logs filled out by the defendant when she visited Mrs Tyzack’s house on three occasions on October 2.

Airey claimed that the ring she had sold was a different ring which had once belonged to her own deceased mother.

In cross examination, prosecutor Jason Spellman said: “It’s an extraordinary coincidence that the day after Mary Tyzack’s ring goes missing you decide to sell a ring you have had since you were 19.”

Tim Shorter, defending, said the court proceedings have had a “profound” effect on Airey who had since lost her job and her confidence.

Sentencing Airey, Judge Robert Linford said: “It was a disgraceful thing to have done, but it is the first time, and I am quite convinced it will be the only time, you will do anything criminal in your whole life.

“You have led a hardworking and industrious life.

“This conviction has robbed you of your good character, indeed the whole process has been demeaning for someone like you who has never been in a criminal court before.

“You have not only lost your job but you have lost you prospects and you are appropriately ashamed of what happened.

“These features allow me to suspend an immediate sentence of imprisonment which would normally be appropriate.”