Suspended term following theft from bookmaker

Jenny McCaffrey, whose address was given to the court as Derrytrasna Park, Derrytrasna, was sentenced to three months in prison, suspended for two years.

At a previous court she pleaded guilty to the theft of cash totalling £2,730 on July 1 last year.

Sentencing had been adjourned so that a pre-sentence report could be obtained.

The court heard that the theft was discovered by the manager of Toal’s bookmaker’s in Lurgan.

McCaffrey, who was an employee at the time, had used her knowledge of system after a lottery pay out to obtain the money.

A solicitor representing the defendant said that restitution had been made and the money repaid in full.

She had been under financial pressure at the time.

Deputy District Judge, Mr Austin Kennedy, said it was a breach of trust case and the defendant had succumbed to temptation on this occasion.

He added that it was a serious case and passed the custody threshold.