A MUM who stole £20,000 from Morrisons so she could buy presents for her kids only has to pay back £1.
Morrisons worker Claire Bevan, 48, from Cwmbran, Wales, would slip £100 into her purse on every shift, a court has heard.
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Bevan spent the money on family treats because she “always wanted to please” with surprises – and spent the money on her children to compensate for her time in work.
Supermarket bosses began an investigation after they noticed “large losses” from the filling station over an 11-month period.
They scoured CCTV and found the losses happened during Bevan’s shifts.
When Bevan was confronted after working one shift five £20 notes were found in her handbag.
Prosecutor Nick Strobl said Bevan had three ways of pocketing the money from the filling station in Cwmbran, Gwent.
He said: “When people bought fuel and other items she would void those items, giving the correct change and pocketing the money for herself.
“When people bought just items from the shop she would void those items, open the drawer, work out the correct change to give and then pocket the money.
“If people were paying the correct amount for small items she would pocket the money.”
Newport Crown Court heard bosses estimated she had stolen around £20,000.
Mr Strobl said: “She thought she had stolen roughly £10,000. She stole around £100 per shift.
“She spent the money on her family who she always wished to please.
“She was often left in the store by herself and in charge of the money. She was left in a position of trust by her employer.”
Bevan admitted theft.
Karl Williams, defending, said: “She was trying to compensate her children for the lack of contact they had in her life.”
Judge, recorder Greg Bull QC told Bevan: “You acted in a thoroughly dishonest way.
“Whether you took that money to benefit your children or to benefit yourself is immaterial.
“You were totally and completely dishonest and now you have lost your good character.”
Bevan was handed an eight-month suspended sentence and ordered to complete 60 hours unpaid work.
A Proceeds of Crime Act hearing at Cardiff Crown Court was told by prosecutor Strobl that Bevan had benefited by £20,205.35 as a result of the theft – but now had “nothing”.
Recorder Mark Cotter QC ordered the defendant to pay back a nominal sum of £1 within three months.
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Source: The Sun
