A HARD-UP Asda cashier pocketed £1,500 takings because she was in debt, Burnley magistrates heard.

Shirley Caton, 53, struck over about six months, dipping her hands into the till almost every week.

She was caught out after suspicious bosses set up a covert camera and saw her in the act, the hearing was told.

Caton, who had no previous convictions, was said to have been helping herself to up to £50 a time.

The defendant, of Ulster Street, Burnley, admitted theft by employee, between February 1 and August 19, last year.

She was given a community order, with 80 hours unpaid work and must pay £500 compensation.

Alex Mann, prosecuting, said Caton had worked at Burnley Asda, on Princess Way, for five or six years.

Security staff and the assistant manager thought she might be taking money, set up the camera and saw her put coins in a bag and in her jacket pocket.

She was stopped and £35 was taken from her.

Mrs Mann said at first the defendant claimed she should just took a couple of pounds, but then said she took up to £50.

John Nuttall, for Caton, said she had found herself in desperate straits. She had now lost her job and her good character.

The defendant had been under pressure to pay debts, most of which were left by her former partner, but credit card companies and banks now accepted she had no money.

She faced the loss of her home if things did not improve.

Mr Nuttall said Caton showed genuine remorse and apologised. He told the justices: “I can tell you it’s been a salutary lesson and I think it’s safe to say this lady will not be returning to court. She is genuinely ashamed of what’s happened.”

Sentencing, the bench told the defendant her actions had been a breach of trust. The chairman added: “No matter how big a company is, it’s still theft from a company.”