The depressed manager of a Sandwell pub who pocketed £26,000 to fund her gambling habit left a note in the safe saying “sorry”, a court heard.

Sarah-Jayne Ellis

Sarah-Jayne Ellis, aged 29, who managed The Myvod pub in Wednesbury, admitted theft when she appeared before Sandwell Magistrates Court in Warley.

The court heard her gambling habit had spiralled out of control and she had written a note for colleagues and left it in the safe before fleeing to Brighton.

Prosecutor Miss Rosie Sivia said: “The defendant had been manager of The Myvod pub for the last 12 months.

“On August 22 one of the deputy managers at the pub accessed the safe and found a letter which was dated that day from the defendant. It said she had been depressed and had been gambling and taking money from the safe.

“Managers carried out an audit and reported the matter to police. The defendant handed herself in the following day. She was carrying a red bag with £2,000 in cash.

“In interview she admitted taking more than £26,000 from the pub safe over a week and a half, stealing the money in bits.”

Addressing the court yesterday, Miss Sivia said Ellis had caught the train to Brighton after leaving the note but immediately boarded a return to hand herself in. Ellis spoke only to confirm her name and guilty plea during the hearing.

Her solicitor Mr Parm Hayre said full mitigation will be put on her behalf when she is sentenced at Wolverhampton Crown Court next month.

Ellis, of Arps Road, Codsall, was granted bail on  condition she does not go to The Myvod or any casino and resides at her home. She is due to be sentenced on September 27.