A hotel worker who stole a guest’s wallet containing £200 has been handed a suspended prison sentence.

Jennifer Jane Campbell, of Derby View, Castletown, admitted the theft, which was committed while she was working as a housekeeper at Comis Hotel at Mount Murray.

Magistrates sentenced the 49-year-old to two months’ custody, suspended for one year and also fined her £100.

The court heard that Campbell started work at the hotel on March 26.

On April 12, she went into one of the rooms with an iron and ironing board but saw that a wallet with £200 in cash inside had been left on a desk.

She took it home where she disposed of the wallet after taking the cash.

Campbell initially denied the theft but then changed her plea to guilty at the pre-trial review stage.

Defence advocate Ian Kermode said that his client was struggling financially and was suffering from mental health issues as well as complications after brain surgery in 2013.

’It was her first full-time job for many years after that operation.

’She thought she could deal with working full-time and took the job with the best intentions, but struggled with the responsibility.’

A doctor’s report confirmed that Campbell had mental health issues after surgery.

Victim

Mr Kermode said that, although there had not been an immediate guilty plea, the change of plea had saved the cost of a trial and the victim travelling from Northern Ireland to attend. The court heard that Campbell is currently receiving £263 per week in benefits.

A probation report said that the crime had been a breach of trust and also highlighted how the theft could harm the island’s reputation.

Magistrates also ordered Campbell to pay compensation of £200 for the theft and £300 prosecution costs.

She will pay the fine, compensation and costs at a rate of £10 per week deducted from benefits.