A SALES adviser has been sentenced after stealing thousands of pounds from the building supplies company she worked for in Herefordshire.

Samantha Lusty admitted one count of committing fraud by abuse of position when she appeared before magistrates in Hereford at an earlier hearing.

The 42-year-old had been working as a sales adviser at Bradfords Building Supplies in Ross-on-Wye when the offence took place, prosecutor Elizabeth Blacklock told the plea hearing.

Between April 15, 2021, and October 19, 2021, she had made 45 refund transactions for purchases made by customers, worth a total of £6,871.33, into her own bank account.

"Those customers said they did not take any materials back for refunds," Miss Blacklock said.

"She had sent the refunds to her own bank account and then placed records before her supervisor to be signed off when he was busy."

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The case was adjourned for a pre-sentencing report to be carried out by probation and Lusty, of Beechwood, Ross-on-Wye, appeared before magistrates in Hereford again for sentencing on July 27.

She was handed a six month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, ordered to complete 180 hours of unpaid work and must pay compensation of £6,871.33.

She must also pay costs of £185 and a £128 victim surcharge.