Post office manager stole £5,000

A post office manager stole more than £5,000 of its takings and went on a shopping spree at lingerie stores Ann Summers and La Senza.

Naomi Tees also stayed in hotels with the money she had stolen from the Stafford branch and paid off her energy bills.

Tees was given a suspended prison sentence when she appeared at Cannock magistrates court yesterday.

The 32-year-old had claimed she had financial difficulties at home. Tees, formerly of St Thomas Street, Stafford, now of Six Ashes Road, Six Ashes, Bridgnorth, took the money from the store based at WH Smith in Greengate Street.

She admitted the charge of committing fraud while occupying a position of branch manager. In total, she took £5,598.76 between May and November 2009.

Miss Claire Spooner, prosecuting, said the till she used was one customers could pay cash into, and then pay off their credit card bills. She said Tees decided to pay her electricity bill and credit debts using that cash over a six-month period.

It was only when an auditor employed by the Post Office came to examine the unit that she admitted the offence and was arrested.

Miss Spooner said: "She was a manager, not just an employee. She had been staying in Travelodges and buying items from La Senza shops."

The court also heard Tees had spent money on goods at Ann Summers.

Defending Tees, Mr Mike Wetton said she was "extremely sorry" for her actions.

He added that Tees had felt out of her depth as a manager and had been struggling with her finances since moving out of her parents' Bridgnorth home.

Tees, who has since re-trained as a driving instructor, was given at 26-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months.

She must also do 300 hours of unpaid work, repay £5,000 to the Post Office and pay £85 costs.