A BRIERLEY Hill woman has admitted stealing from her employer after her financial situation spiralled out of control.

Patricia Susan Elwell fraudulently processed mobile phone top ups and rent and gas payments totalling more than £3,850 while she worked at Gills Fags and Booze in Stourbridge.

The 57-year-old also admitted stealing £1,164 worth of National Lottery scratch cards.

Elwell, who worked part time at the High Street shop, was caught when her boss discovered £200 was missing from the till.

Dudley Magistrates Court heard that when he reviewed CCTV footage, he saw Elwell processing a payment on the paypoint machine without putting cash in the till.

Kerry Lovegrove, prosecuting, said that Elwell's actions had put a lot of pressure on the shop owner's personal life and he had to dip into personal finances and take out a loan to cover the losses.

The court heard that Elwell, of Corbett Road, made a full and frank admission about the offences, which had been going on for eight months, when interviewed by police.

Jahangeer Aslam, defending, said her financial difficulty began after her husband, who is profoundly deaf, lost his job.

He continued: "She was working part-time but found it difficult to manage her finances.

"When she first made a transaction it was with the view that she would put the money back."

Mr Aslam said Elwell, had not committed the offences to fund "a lavish lifestyle" and she was full of remorse for her actions.

Chairman of the bench, Kenneth Slater told Elwell: "A lot of people find themselves in financial difficulty but most do not result to criminal activity or bite the hand that feeds them - an employer does not deserve to have their trust betrayed."

However he praised Elwell for being honest with police, adding: "Without your cooperation the police may never have discovered the extent of your activities."

Elwell, who pleaded guilty to three counts of fraud by abuse of position and one count of theft by employee, was sentenced to 20 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months.

She must carry out 150 hours unpaid work and must pay compensation of £5,014, a victim surcharge of £80 and £85 court costs.

Amer Gill, who runs Gills Fags and Booze in the High Street, said she was disappointed at the sentence and added: "I'm very upset about it.

"She's basically just had a slap on the hand and we're left picking up the pieces and dealing with the financial implications. This has been going on for two years and it's put a lot of strain on us."

She said she would be questioning the CPS over the sentence and added: "I just don't think this is justice."