The boss of a successful cleaning company contracted to maintain leading barrister’s chambers in the heart of London’s legal district was caught on camera helping herself to lawyers’ belongings.
The secret camera was installed at 1 King’s Bench Walk, Temple – the chambers of Richard Anelay QC – following a spate of petty thefts.
Claire Karmy, 34, of Windsor Court, Park View Close, St. Albans, Hertfordshire – a director of cleaning company ‘Dusbusters’ – claims a mental breakdown triggered the spree.
She pleaded guilty at City of London Magistrates’ Court to stealing a ladies bra; two L’Oreal toiletry products; a white shirt; four pairs of earrings; a Remington Volumizer brush and four Calmin toiletries on various dates between November 9, last year and April 15.
Prosecutor Ms Safira Afzal told the court concerned management at the chambers (chambers) installed a camera, which caught Karmy rifling through the pigeon holes of various barristers.
On one occasion she was nearly caught when a lawyer walked in as she searched through personal property, but simply carried on when he left the office.
Her lawyer told the court: “She was under extreme stress and suffering deep depression, which she found very powerful and embarrassing.
“She was angry with the whole world and wanted to strike back. This was a cry for help.”
Karmy was supported in court by her boyfriend Gavin Lodge, the co-director of ‘Dustbusters’.
“The reputation of the business is in tatters and it is extremely unlikely to be resumed,” added the lawyer.
“They ran the business together and were turning over forty-eight thousand pounds a year. That has gone.”
After reading probation and psychiatric reports the magistrates agreed to impose a six-month supervision order on Karmy.
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