AN EBBW Vale woman was given a suspended sentence after admitting stealing more than £10,000 from her employers.

Hannah Tarr, 24, of Mynydd View, appeared in Newport Crown Court yesterday having previously pleaded guilty to ten counts of theft and one count of fraud.

Prosecutor Carys Williams said Tarr was working as a receptionist for Summerhill Vetinary Clinic, in Newport, and was responsible for cashing up at the end of the day as part of her duties.

She said the offences took place between September 11, 2010 and June 4 this year, during which a total of £10,117.87 was taken.

The court heard the offences came to light when a security guard found a bag of documents in a skip on an industrial estate on June 4, including cheques made out to the vets practice, visa slips, cash bags and letters and arrears notices bearing Tarr’s name and address.

Ms Williams said the practice was contacted and a cross audit completed, where large amounts of money were found to be missing.

Tarr was arrested and in interview told officers she was in a “sticky situation” and took the money to pay her debts.

She also told police she had used the practice machine to refund £250 to her personal account.

The court heard a total of £2,690.30 has been repaid to the practice.

Representing Tarr, Hywel Hughes said Tarr built up debts on store cards and found it difficult to go to people to ask for help.

He said: “In the end she was tempted and saw the opportunity to take the cash. Once some embarks on that slippery sloper it’s very hard to get off it. She has blotted her copy book in an enormous way.”

Mr Hughes said Tarr was embarrassed and ashamed and willing to pay everything back.

Judge David Morris sentenced Tarr to six months suspended for two years, made her the subject of a two-year supervision order and ordered her to complete 200 hours unpaid work.

Tarr was also ordered to pay back the remaining £7,427.57 to the vets within 12 months.