A WINDOW cleaner who stole more than £10,000 worth of jewellery including a “treasured” engagement ring has been jailed.

Steven Gardner, of Gainsborough Green, Abingdon, raided the homes of two of his customers in Yarnton while he was supposed to be doing his job, Oxford Crown Court heard.

A judge told the 37-year-old, who admitted one burglary and one theft, he had abused a “high position of trust” when he committed the crimes.

Prosecutor Naomi Perry said first Gardner targeted 74-year-old Margaret Grimsley, of Park Close, Yarnton, on November 21, 2013.

She said he had been her window cleaner for between 18 months and two years and stole a “treasured” £4,500 engagement ring – given to her by her late husband – after asking to use her toilet.

Miss Perry said Gardner pawned the ring for £60 and his victim has now been told by her insurers she can only have a replacement, not the value of the ring.

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The barrister said the theft was from Tracy Mitchell, of Stoutsfield Close, Yarnton, on December 4, 2013.

She said Gardner had been her window cleaner, employed to clean the outsides and insides of the windows, for about a year, and stole £7,000 worth of jewellery from her bedroom.

The prosecutor said his victim only became aware of what had happened later when she found an earring lying on the ground outside.

Miss Perry added that Gardner has previous convictions for theft and shoplifting, but had stayed out of trouble since 2002.

Jonathan Lewis, defending, told Judge Peter Ross that his client, who also worked at the Cowley Mini plant, had a gambling addiction and stole to pay off his debts.

He said: “He’s not a window cleaner as a front to commit burglary after burglary.

“He was the regular window cleaner to both.

“He acquired gambling debts.”

But Judge Ross told Gardner he had committed “particularly mean offences” and noted he had saved a “pitiful” £500 to give to his victims.

He added: “In reality the loss to these two women has been incalculable.

“You stole a window’s engagement ring, it is irreplaceable and the amount of value invested in that item is beyond measure.

“These are mean offences committed when you were in a high position of trust.”

Judge Ross sentenced Gardner to 32 months in prison and told him to pay £500 and a £120 victims’ surcharge.

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