A MOTHER who stole nearly £5,000 from her employer over a six month period in a bid to fend off increasing debt problems has escaped a jail sentence.

Preston Crown Court heard that Valerie Eldridge, 41, of Romney Walk, Blackburn, had severe financial problems partly caused by her loss of benefits when she returned to work full time at the Lancashire Evening Telegraph in Blackburn.

Neil Standage, prosecuting, said the offences were of theft from the Evening Telegraph offices where Eldridge was employed in the collection of direct delivery payments left at the reception.

He added: "During the period in question between June 2001 and November 2001 Valerie Eldridge was employed by the Lancashire Evening Telegraph in Blackburn. One of her duties was to collect cash brought into the offices by agents selling newspapers or street vendors.

"On receipt of the cash she had to complete paperwork and deposit the money into bank accounts but it became apparent to her supervisors in November that not all the cash brought in was reaching the bank.

"They began to keep a closer eye on the procedures and a number of discrepancies were revealed."

Mr Standage said that Eldridge was confronted about the shortfalls on November 21 and money was found hidden under a file at her desk. The police were called and Eldridge was arrested and interviewed where she made full admissions to having taken the money which amounted to a total of £4,941.

Eldridge pleaded guilty to four counts of theft and asked for 16 others to be taken into consideration.

Mark Stewart, defending said Eldridge, said she was extremely sorry for her actions which had snowballed out of control after she returned to work full time.

Sentencing Eldridge to 80 hours community service over the next 12 months and 12 months probation, Judge John Boulton said: "Theft from an employer over a period of time particularly when thousands of pounds are at issue usually attracts an immediate sentence of imprisonment.

"This series of offences richly deserves imprisonment but I take into account your pleas of guilty, your genuine remorse and the fact you have made positive efforts to get your debt problem in order."