A JUDGE has described the actions of an Abergavenny woman as a 'wicked breach of trust' after sentencing her for fraudulently obtaining over £33,000 from a local pharmacy.

Sarah Davies, aged 44 of Laundry Place, sobbed loudly as she appeared at Newport Crown Court for sentencing after pleading guilty at an earlier hearing to false accounting and stealing over £33,000 from her employers H Shackleton Ltd.

Prosecutor James Wilson told the court that Davies had started working at the pharmacy as a sales assistant in May 2008 and that she stole the money over a three-year period.

Mr Wilson said she started slowly at first adding, "Davies took it upon herself to give customer refunds, it was something she was not authorised to do. She did this at least once a day and sometimes twice and she carried this out over a number of years.

"She squandered the money away on general living as she has debts of over £100,000 caused by the renovation of her home."

The court heard that between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2009 Davies obtained just over £1,500 from her employer and between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2010 she obtained a further £8,500. But the following year she had fraudulently obtained a further £24,000 between January 1, 2011 and October 31 2011.

Mr Wilson said, "It was in October 2011 when the matters came to light and disciplinary actions were implemented by the management."  He added that some refunds that Davies had administered had been legitimate, but that it was impossible to state an accurate figure.

Mr Wilson said that during a police interview Davies had admitted that 'it had been the biggest mistake of her life'.

He said, "The low level of sophistication meant that she would eventually get caught, but she continued issuing fraudulent refunds regardless, knowing that she could be discovered at any moment."

Steven Thomas defending told the court that Davies had displayed a large amount of remorse and that she admitted her guilt and fully accepts her plight caused by the situation she finds herself in.

He said,"She has made no attempt to blame anybody else. She stole small amounts over a long period and used the money for general living purposes. She is deeply ashamed of what she has done and is sincerely remorseful."

"It does not appear that the pharmacy business has suffered any financial difficulties as a result of Davies' actions," he added.

The court heard that the sentencing of Davies had been a prolonged affair because she had been admitted as a patient of the Carn-y-Cefn mental health unit at the new hospital in Ebbw Vale after attempting to take her own life.

Mr Thomas revealed that Davies had become quite distressed following her arrest and added, "She made genuine attempts to take her own life and had suffered the loss of one eye and brain damage through her actions."

But medical reports concluded that Davies was not suffering from mental health issues, but that her personal anguish had made her become quite agitated and that she was unable to function properly.

Mr Thomas pointed out that the whole incident had weighed very heavily on Davies and she had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.

He concluded: "The whole saga has been a complete disaster in her life."

Judge David Wynn Morgan told Davies: "You stole a staggering sum. You did it deliberately and systematically and in a way that was quite wicked.

"It was a wicked breach of trust. It's dishonest. Those who steal against their employers go to prison and very often they are people like you, of previous good character."

The judge said that there were exceptional circumstances in this case as Davies had already taken steps to punish herself, and that she had already harmed herself to a very great degree.

Davies was sentenced to 32 weeks imprisonment on each count to run concurrently, suspended for 24 months.

Judge Wynn Morgan said: "I do make an exception in the form of a concession to you as you have already harmed yourself. You are not mentally ill, but if you went into prison you could easily harm yourself so I will suspend the sentence for 24 months."

The judge also ordered that a supervision requirement was to be implemented and told Davies that she must also complete a Future Skills Programme.

Judge Wynn Morgan told Davies that he was not ordering her to pay any compensation or undertake any unpaid work. He added: "The reason I am not ordering you to do any unpaid work in the community is because you are not up to it."

However the judge warned Davies: "The order will be revoked if you fail to comply with the details of my directions and you will certainly be facing the prospect of a custodial sentence."