A HIDDEN camera was used to catch red-handed a caretaker who stole money from a school.

Douglas Richardson (56) was filmed using a spare key to open the safe at Bellingham Middle School.

The trap was set after it was discovered there was a shortfall in money put aside for a visit to Lightwater Valley, in North Yorkshire.

A total of £140 was missing from money received for the theme park trip. In addition, £15 from money collected for a school disco, and 50 euros which had been in the safe for a number of years following a trip to Europe, were found to be missing.

When questioned by police, Richardson, who had worked at the school for 40 years, said he had intended to return the money, claiming he had only rifled through the safe to highlight inadequate security in place at the school.

Richardson, of Cairns Road, Bellingham, denied charges of theft and attempted theft. But he was found guilty by Newcastle magistrates following a trial on Friday.

After the money went missing, acting headteacher Rebecca Simpson contacted police and was advised to install a covert camera in her office, where the safe was kept. Money was moved to a different, secure location.

Video footage from July 8 showed Richardson twice using a key to open the now empty safe and look inside.

The court was told a spare safe key went missing in 2014. Richardson had found it, but told no-one about it.

On July 16, Richardson voluntarily attended Hexham Police Station where he was interviewed under caution and admitted taking the money. Richardson was responsible for maintenance and security at the site.

Speaking in court, Richardson said he was annoyed his warnings were ignored regarding lap-tops and mobile phones left unattended, and doors and windows left open at the end of the day.

He said: “I had tried everything and nothing seemed to be working. I was so frustrated with it that I went over the top, basically.

“I thought they would realise and we would have a meeting and I could put my issues forward.

“I didn’t intend to keep that money; I just wanted to make a stand.”

Richardson, who is now self-employed, said he regretted his actions and accepted that he had acted ‘very foolishly.’

He admitted taking £100 and the 50 euros, and had returned the money. But he could not account for the remaining £40.

Patrick Andrews, defending, gave the court a number of character references outlining Richardson’s honesty, integrity and dedication to the school.

Mr Andrews said: “I submit that the man who stands before you is just a very foolish man, but a well-intended man and an honest man.”

Announcing the guilty verdict, chairman of the magistrates’ bench, Brian Dwyer, said: “We find it is not logical that such an honest man would not, or could not, report such a vital key.”

Richardson will be sentenced at North Tyneside Magistrates’ Court on November 29.

kathleen.moore@hexham-courant.co.uk