Cleaner stole gold jewellery from celebrity chef’s elderly parents

A Hobart woman preyed on the sick and elderly parents of celebrity chef Massimo Mele, stealing thousands of dollars of gold jewellery from them, a court has heard.

Mary Ann Walker was employed by a carers agency to clean for Maria and Vincenzo Mele when she stole two gold bracelets and a gold wedding ring from them in late 2018.

The Meles were clients of the agency after Mr Mele had a stroke and quadruple bypass heart surgery.

He needed a carer to come in and help him shower daily and Walker was also sent as a cleaner for three hours once a week.

She had worked for the couple, now aged 72 and 69, for less than two months when the jewellery theft was discovered.

The Hobart Magistrates Court heard the couple had valued the jewellery at $12,000…