Woman jailed for gems theft

A heartless housekeeper who stole a fortune in jewellery and then fled, allegedly leaving a helpless autistic toddler alone in the premises, was jailed for nine months yesterday.

Annette Lanigan-Ryan, 30, recruited through Lady magazine, had been working for her employer less than 24 hours before she found her safe was full of valuable watches and diamond-encrusted jewellery.

She pocketed the pounds 10,000 haul, snatched pounds 600 in cash and headed for the nearest pawnbrokers. When police caught up with her she was making one of her many visits to a casino, Southwark Crown Court heard.