A FORMER employee of Burnley Comet store and two accomplices all involved in deception have escaped jail sentences.

Helen Gowling, 19, who was of previous good character, was told by a judge she had been very much at the centre of the fraud and normally would have gone to jail.

Judge David Pirie told Gowling the birth of her daughter six weeks ago had saved her from custody.

Gowling, of Manchester Road, Hapton, was given 100 hours community punishment and a 12 months rehabilitation order, after admitting six offences of deception, one of attempted deception and asking for six offences to be considered.

Eric Ferguson, 26, of Fenwick Street, Burnley, was given a 12 months community rehabilitation order, after pleading guilty to attempted deception.

Gary Heyslop, 18, of Athol Street North, Burnley, was also given a 12 months community rehabilitation order and ordered to attend the Addressing Substance Related Offending group for 60 days. He admitted deception and attempted deception.

Peter Horgan, prosecuting, said Gowling worked at Comet and made fraudulent application forms for On Digital TV receivers.

Her deputy store manager became worried after three applications, with different addresses were made over five days in the name of Christopher Leach.

He went to the Preston branch of the store to seek advice from a colleague and by chance Gowling entered with her two co-defendants. They had tried to buy two boxes and had filled in the application form in the name of a man from Burnley. Two false items of identification had been presented.

All three defendants were arrested and Gowling said she got involved in the fraud after meeting Mr Leach as a customer. She said the receivers were passed to a third party who would sell them. Gowling told police she did not benefit but got the occasional £10 from Leach. She would get commission from each sale of a receiver.

David Stephenson, for Gowling, said she was extremely sorry and had had to live with the thought of going to prison.

She accepted her actions were stupid and foolish. She had lost a job she enjoyed but was not without intelligence.

Gowling wanted to get back to work but realised her future employment prospects had been damaged. She had matured since the birth of her baby but was showing early signs of post natal depression. Mr Stephenson urged the court to give the defendant a chance.

For Heyslop, Charles Brown said he was not involved with Comet but having been made aware of how the deception was being operated he fell prey to temptation.

He had one previous conviction and had not offended while he had been on bail for 10 months. Heyslop had suffered a significant injury to his hand and may not ever regain the full use of it.

For Ferguson, Mr Brown said he was the carer for his two children and a community rehabilitation order could be imposed.