A shop worker stole cash while employed by a family-run DIY business.
Carlisle Crown Court heard how the owner of Pelleymounters Hardware, in Seascale, turned detective after suspicions that 36-year-old Kirsty Brierley was pinching money from a till.
This was due to cash takings being much lower on the days when Brierley was working than at other times.
The owner enlisted the help of a man to act as a mystery shopper. He recorded the serial numbers of £20 notes he gave that man having asked him to visit his store the following day to buy high value items.
The mystery shopper bought a drill and other equipment. When cash takings were later checked there were only five £20 notes and none bearing the serial numbers logged.
Brierley was initially suspended by the owners. She sought to claim that she had removed notes with the intention of verifying what she thought could be fakes, and initially denied a charge of theft during a first magistrates’ court hearing.
But at the crown court, Brierley — a woman of previous good character — admitted stealing £180 from the business on July 12 last year.
Through her solicitor, she said the offence shouldn’t have happened. “She has lost her job and subsequent employment as a result of what is out of character and totally inappropriate behaviour. She has had 15 months to reflect on that,” said Marion Weir, mitigating. “She is remorseful for the criminality involved in this case.”
Judge Michael Fanning considered detailed background information before imposing a 12-month community order which comprises 80 hours’ unpaid work.
He referenced Ms Weir’s submission that the crime was a drastic and serious lapse in judgement. “It’s worse than that,” the judge told Brierley, of Gosforth Road, Seascale, “because you are now branded a thief and you have to live with that.”
“All employers have to trust all of those that they employ,” added Judge Fanning. “It doesn’t matter if it is a major corporation or a small company — if you can’t trust employees then a business can’t operate.
