A trusted shop worker stole hundreds of pounds from her employers to pay the debts she racked up on Christmas presents.
Lesley Morgan, 42, yesterday admitted pocketing nearly £700 of cash from Boots in Fraserburgh’s Broad Street.
The mum-of-one had stole the money between February 11 and March 13 this year after she had overspent at Christmas and needed money to cover rent and her child’s holiday trip.
Fiscal depute Lixia Sun told Peterhead Sheriff Court that Morgan – who had worked at the shop for 16 years – filed false refunds on a till so that she could open its money drawer and swipe the cash.
“The till was only open a maximum of two or three seconds, meaning it would be impossible to provide refunds,” Ms Sun said.
She added that when Morgan was eventually caught she had shown a “great deal of remorse for her actions”.
In total, she stole £668.97.
Her defence agent, Ian Jane, said she received “virtually no support” from her child’s father and that she was not someone likely to come back to court.
“She seemed to be highly thought of by all staff members,” he added.
“She overcompensated at Christmas and had spent too much. She was struggling and there were a number of financial commitments that all crystallised at the same time.”
The court also heard that prior to appearing in the dock, Morgan had made repeated attempts to give the money back.
Her efforts to do so were praised by Sheriff Andrew Miller, who fined her £300.
He said: “It’s greatly to your credit that, firstly, you pleaded guilty at the first hearing and have taken steps to pay this sum at this stage.
“This was a significant breach of trust.”
Morgan, who has found new employment as a shop assistant elsewhere, will also pay a compensation order equal to the amount taken from the tills.
