A shop assistant who helped herself to snacks and scratchcards was caught out after her crimes were recorded by in-store security cameras.

Lindsey Anne Avery, 42, was a trusted worker at Carlisle's Post Office and Foreways store in Newlaithes Avenue, Morton, for two and a half years, the city's magistrates court was told.

But postmaster Billy Bone noticed that the till's takings would never balance on Sundays when she was at work.

When she was confronted by the police about the discrepancies, Avery at first denied any wrongdoing but her stealing had been captured clearly by the store's CCTV security cameras.

In court, Avery, of Westrigg Road, Morton, admitted a single count of theft, covering the period April 1 last year to April 4 this year.

Pam Ward, prosecuting, described how the defendant stole from the store over a year and when she was working alone in the store on Sundays.

She would take scratch cards, use them and then collect her winnings from the till.

She was also seen taking crisps and drinks, consuming them without paying.

Mrs Ward said: “There was CCTV footage that showed her takings the scratch-cards and taking the winnings from the till."

Overall, the loss to the company was £500. “When asked if she had ever taken anything to eat, she said she always paid for it.” She also denied taking scratch-cards without paying.

But ten days after her initial police interview, Avery got back in touch with the police and admitted stealing, saying she was having money and family problems. “She appeared very remorseful,” said Mrs Ward.

Margaret Payne, for Avery, said: “She actually herself contacted the police because she found it weighing heavily on her. She has lost her good character, she was dismissed, and she is now struggling to find other work because of the circumstances of her dismissal.”

Mrs Payne said said Avery was depressed following the death of her grandmother and there were money problems.

“She started taking the odd £10 note and all together took four or five scratch-cards that she didn't pay for. “She won £50.

“She wants to repeat her apology to her ex-employer. She has now lost her self-respect and is depending on her partner's part-time earnings.”

Deputy District Judge Rod Ross told the defendant: “You are a lady of previous good character but you have now got a criminal record for dishonesty. You are going to have that problem for the rest of your life.”

He imposed a fine of £110 and ordered Avery to pay her former employer £500 in compensation.