THE former manager of a Co-operative store defrauded her employer of 22 years of nearly £20,000 in an attempt to pay off spiralling debts, a court heard.

Marie Welch manipulated the figures and failed to keep proper banking records while employed as manager of the Co-op in Mowden, Darlington, between October 2013 and August this year.

The 40-year-old pocketed £19,700 before she was caught and removed from her post.

The money has since been repaid in full by her mother.

Vickie Wilson, prosecuting at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates Court yesterday (Wednesday, November 26), said senior Co-op staff grew suspicious after noticing the same figure of £5,548 had been used repeatedly to balance the safe, despite takings changing each week.

Ms Wilson said Welch was unhelpful when a manager came to conduct a safe check in September.

“She indicates she has lost the safe key to prevent the safe check going ahead,” said Ms Wilson. “She had also failed to complete any documentation. She was suspected of gross misconduct and suspended from duty that day. Chubb forced open the safe and found £100 in saving stamps and no money.”

Welch, of Yarm Road, Darlington, pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of position.

Gwen Burnett, mitigating, said Welch, who has no previous convictions, had been regarded as an exemplary employee.

She said her client was struggling to come to terms with the sudden death of her younger brother but had been supporting other family members despite her grief.

Ms Burnett said: “She had been spending a lot of money on her family. She has one wardrobe and two drawers and nothing of any value to show for it.

“She has been on one holiday in four years to Benidorm, which she couldn’t really afford. She got into debt through credit cards and loans.”

Ms Burnett said Welch had ended up in a downward spiral and had been taking money from the safe to tide her over and paying it back when she could.

Magistrates heard her employers and the police had not wanted the case to come to court but had no choice due to the high figure involved.

“They believe she wasn’t in her right mind as they cannot understand why someone so highly respected in the company would act in this way,” Ms Burnett added.

Welch was sentenced to eight weeks in custody suspended for 12 months and was ordered to pay £85 costs and a £80 victim surcharge.