A WOMAN from Southampton who stole more than £11,000 from her employers has been spared an immediate prison sentence but told to pay all money back.

Specsavers brought in a senior loss prevention consultant after banking losses were discovered at its premises in Shirley. The consultant set up a special covert camera after cash had been found in a filing cabinet.

Prosecutor Cilla Worsfold told Southampton Crown Court that as a result of the operation, Claire Ferreday's employers asked if she had stolen money and she eventually confessed that she had been taking money for about a year.

Ferreday told them it wasn't every week but it was "regular". She explained that she had considerable debts and was trying to clear them. She admitted what she had done was serious and that it represented gross misconduct.

Ferreday, 27, of Longstock Close, Southampton, admitted theft and received an eight- month suspended prison sentence coupled with a 250-hour unpaid work order. She was also told she must pay the compensation within 18 months.

In mitigation, Susan Ridge said Ferreday knew when she took the cash, the matter would come to light. "She knows she should have stopped but carried on because she was getting away with it. She had a catalogue of debts. She had got herself into a financial situation which had got out of control. She has always been in employment since leaving school."

Asking the court not to impose an immediate prison sentence, the lawyer said Ferreday had been interviewed for a job and her potential employers knew of the court case. The job would not involve her handling cash.

Judge John Boggis QC told Ferreday, who was of previous good character: "You should be thoroughly ashamed of yourself."