This is the moment thief Sarah Back was caught stealing from an old people's home.

Another member of staff walked into the room just seconds after she had stuffed £90 inside the top of her jeans.

Back, a mother of two, spoke to her colleague as if nothing had happened and was convinced she had got away with it.

What she did not know was her every move was being recorded by a tiny spy camera.

Staff at Pembroke Lodge retirement home in Aymer Road, Hove, called in police when money started to go missing from residents and a locked cash box in the office.

A covert camera was installed and Back, 22, of Forge Close, Portslade, was caught stealing from the office on the day it was fitted.

At first she denied taking the money but she finally admitted the theft when footage from the hidden camera was played to her.

Back, who was a popular member of staff at the home, told police she had only borrowed the money and intended to put it back at the end of the week.

Managers at the home said they were forced to put in the cameras when cash started to go missing in October.

When confronted, Back admitted stealing the £90 recorded by the police camera but denied being responsible for any other thefts.

She pleaded guilty to one charge of theft at Brighton Magistrates Court yesterday.

Bridgit Norfolk, prosecuting, said: "On Friday, December 13 she was seen to go into the office and unlock the cash box.

"She took out three envelopes, which contained allowances for some of the residents, and stuffed them into the waistband of her trousers.

"They were later found empty in another part of the building by one of the residents."

The court heard Back was of previous good character. The case was adjourned for pre-sentence reports until February 15.

Pat Gutsell, deputy manageress at Pembroke Lodge, said: "The sad thing is that she was popular with the residents and her colleagues.

"Money also went missing from the residents' rooms but the police could not prove who took that.

"They could not put cameras into the bedrooms because it would have been an invasion of privacy.

"Until the police camera caught her taking the money from the cash box, we had no idea who was responsible.

"It was a horrible feeling knowing we were all under suspicion."

Superintendent Peter Coll said care homes in Brighton and Hove had set up a police watch association to keep each other informed about crime and staff issues.

Mr Coll said: "Installing covert cameras is one of many methods we have of detecting dishonest employees."