A Ramsey shop assistant who stole £1,426 from her employer has been sentenced to community service.

Natalie Smith processed fake refunds to herself for various goods while she was working at JAC Stores in Parliament Street during December last year.

The 33-year-old, who lives at Gibbs Grove, admitted four counts of fraud by false representation and was ordered to do 120 hours’ unpaid work by High Bailiff Jayne Hughes.

We previously reported that Smith was working as a sales assistant at JAC Stores in Ramsey on December 12 last year.

She made a total of 23 transactions on the cash till which were false refunds and resulted in her either taking cash or putting the refund onto her own credit card.

Transactions processed included £84.99 for a baby monitor on December 12, £54.98 for a slow cooker on December 16, £199.99 for a dehumidifier on December 21, and £89.99 for a vacuum cleaner on December 28.

Those four items named were said to be specimen charges while the total theft involved 23 transactions with an overall value of £1,426.79.

CCTV footage was viewed and confirmed the offences.

Smith’s financial records also showed some refunds going to her account.

When interviewed by police Smith denied the offences, saying that all the refunds were legitimate.

Smith was said to have a previous conviction for a dishonesty offence.

Defence advocate Paul Rodgers said that his client had not been before the court for some time and asked for the article eight human rights of her young child to be taken into account.

Mr Rodgers asked the court to follow the recommendation of a probation report which suggested community service as the most appropriate sentence.

’There were issues with her husband’s health which caused the family finances to be affected at the time of the offending,’ said the advocate.

’Ms Smith has lost her employment as a result. The offences were relatively unsophisticated.’

Mr Rodgers went on to say that the money taken had not been used for luxuries but for living expenses.

A probation report assessed Smith as a low risk of reoffending and low risk of harm to others.

High Bailiff Mrs Hughes told Smith: ’I have taken into account that the money wasn’t used for luxuries and was used for living expenses, but it was a breach of trust and there was an element of planning.’

Smith was also ordered to pay £1,426.79 compensation to JAC Stores and prosecution costs of £50.