A SUPERVISOR at the Co-op supermarket in Oswaldtwistle started stealing cash from the till when she realised she could override the system when she cashed up at the end of her shift.


Blackburn Magistrates Court heard that in the first month Sarah Louise Power stole just £8.35 but four months later she pocketed £1,872 in a month.


And over the course of seven months, magistrates were told she stole more than £6,000.

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Now pregnant, Power, of Whalley Road, Clayton-le-Moors, pleaded guilty to stealing £6,035 from her employer. 


The 26-year-old was sent on bail to be sentenced at Burnley Crown Court on Wednesday, December 21.


Tracey Yates, prosecuting, said Power had worked at the busy Co-op supermarket for six years and had risen to the position of team leader and later became a trusted key-holder.


The court heard the thefts had started in January when Power stole £8.35 but she went on to steal £392 in February, £512 in March, £930 in April, £1,872 in May, £1,694 in June and £623 in July.


Power told police she had got into financial difficulties and found she could override the till system as she was responsible for cashing up the tills at the end of the shift.


“She said it spiralled as she took more and more money,” said Mrs Yates. “She told police she was upset and ashamed about what she had done.”


Peter King, defending, said his client was a lady of previous good character.


“She found herself in severe financial difficulties and fell to temptation,” said Mr King. 


He said since being sacked by the Co-op she had found another job and was now pregnant.