A BUS passenger has been convicted of stealing money from the driver's cash bag.

Claudie Thompson, 32, denied theft following an incident at Workington in September last year.

But after a trial at Carlisle Crown Court, Thompson was today found guilty of the offence.

Jurors heard the Stagecoach driver dropped the bag when she briefly left her cab to install a ramp for a disabled passenger.

Thompson picked it up before handing it back to the driver a short time later. But, while she claimed it had been empty, the driver said it had actually contained about £200.

Judge Peter Hughes QC heard Thompson, of Shore Road, Salterbeck, had previous convictions for dishonesty offences.

But, having been told prison would have a great effect on her two young children, he suspended a three-month jail term for two years.

Thompson must complete 120 hours' unpaid work and pay £200 compensation.