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School worker stole £1,500 from pupils' trips fund to spend on her own children

A former clerical assistant at a primary school stole almost £1,500 from a pot of money that was supposed to pay for trips for the pupils, a court heard.

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Andrea Payne, who had worked at Etching Hill Primary for eight years, admitted stealing £1,416 from the school between January and July last year.

The mother-of-two took the money that was meant for school trips and other activities while she was working in the finance department in order to 'help her children feel better about themselves'.

At Cannock Magistrates Court yesterday, Payne, aged 35, of Merlin Close, Cannock, pleaded guilty to theft.

The court heard how the extent of the theft was only discovered when a colleague of Payne took over her role whilst she was off.

Etching HIll Primary

When she was first interviewed by police in October last year, she admitted to only stealing £600. When she was interviewed again in January this year however, she admitted the full amount after being presented with further evidence.

Mrs Payne and her husband, who is a builder, earn around £3,200 a month combined for their two children, aged nine and five. She had worked at the school for eight years before the theft.

Miss Claire Stephens, defending Payne, told the court 'money was tight' for her client and that is why she took it.

She said: "Mrs Payne initially planned to return the money but found herself spiralling out of control.

"She used the money to buy things for her children to make them feel better about themselves.

"My client has a history of depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts and though not suffering with those thoughts at the moment, she has been referred by her GP for further treatment."

She said she used the first £100 she had stolen to pay for a family trip to the cinema.

Payne now works full time as a recruitment officer.

Miss Stephens confirmed that Payne has prepared several letters to the victims, including staff and children at the school, apologising for stealing.

Presiding magistrate, Ian Jones, told Payne: "The victims of your crime were vulnerable, that is to say, they were children at school so it is my view that you repay all of the money."

Mrs Payne was told to pay back the full amount she stole in compensation to the school, as well as costs of £135 and victim surcharge of £60. She was also issued with a community service order of 80 hours, reduced from 120 hours due to her guilty plea.

Part of her order includes a rehabilitation requirement of 10 days to 'face up to the issues' that brought her before the court.

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