A CLEANER who stole a Tiffany necklace was rumbled when its owner saw her wearing it in an Instagram photo.

Kirstin Leigh helped herself to the expensive item worth hundreds of pounds and damaged it by engraving initials onto the back.

The 30-year-old mum was caught however and charged with theft and criminal damage, and she appeared to be sentenced at Warrington Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, April 13.

Angela Blackmore, prosecuting, told the court how the defendant was formerly employed by the complainant as a cleaner.

Leigh was one of a team of people who attended her home to clean, but the contract was ended after the homeowner believed items were going missing.

One item was a bespoke Tiffany and Co. product bought in New York.

The defendant was not suspected however as the pair got on well and had a good relationship, with the customer often gifting Leigh clothes for her children.

The complainant trusted the defendant, but suspicions arose when the former saw an Instagram photo of the latter at a music festival wearing a Tiffany necklace.

This looked suspiciously like one which went missing from the victim’s home – a necklace which had a bespoke design chosen by the complainant before she bought it for £280 at Selfridges in Manchester.

The victim challenged Leigh in messages, who said why would she post a photo wearing the jewellery for her to see if she had stolen it, and added that she bought it from eBay.

The theft was reported to police and the defendant was interviewed in November.

She admitted that she had lied about not stealing the item and said she would pay for damage valued at £100 caused by engraving initials on the back.

The court heard how Leigh has one previous conviction for an ‘unrelated matter’, for which she received a community order which she then breached.

In defence of Leigh, the court heard from Gary Schooler who admitted that the offence amounted to a ‘significant breach of trust’.

However, he highlighted that the court was dealing with someone who is ‘remorseful and who regrets her behaviour’.

Leigh, of Fearnhead Cross in Fearnhead, was sentenced by district judge Jane Hamilton to a 12-month community order, including 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days and unpaid work.

In addition, she must complete sessions of a thinking skills programme and pay compensation of £150, as well as a victim surcharge of £114.