Woman stole over £8,000 from employer

Kerena Hunter, of Clareen Drive, pleaded guilty to theft between January 2009 and November 2014.

Derry Magistrates Court heard an internal investigation was launched by TK Maxx after Hunter was caught on CCTV taking low value food items.

They discovered a number of cash discrepancies in Hunter’s till and she admitted she had stolen money and clothes from the store.

The 36-year-old had been stealing from her employer for a period of five years and the total amouunt taken was £8,440

The matter was reported to police and Hunter admitted stealing from her employer because she was struggling financially.

Defence counsel Paul Kearney said his client, who has no criminal record, is a single mother with two young children.

He said the money taken was for the ‘day to day costs of life’.

District Judge Barney McElholm said the ‘starting point for stealing from an employer has to be a custodial sentence’.

However, he added he had to take into account Hunter’s early plea and clear criminal record.

The judge suspended a six month sentence for two years. He did not impose a compensation order because she ‘simply can’t afford it’.