A GARAGE worker from Ross-on-Wye who was caught on CCTV stealing food from her employer was spared jail this week.

Vicki Taylor, of Three Crosses Road, was instead handed a 12-month community order at Hereford Crown Court last Monday (January 12).

She was told to pay back Bennetts of Ross Ltd £170 in compensation after pleading guilty to seven counts of theft.

Charles Hardy, prosecuting, said owner John Bennett visited the forecourt shop in February last year because he suspected items were going missing.

He noticed a carrier bag behind the counter had various goods in it and asked Ms Taylor’s supervisor to keep an eye on her before studying footage the next day that revealed she had not paid for them.

Mr Hardy said it transpired the 42-year-old had also “helped herself” to cash and lottery scratchcards on a number of occasions.

But in two police interviews the defendant had denied stealing anything .

Roderick Henderson, defending, said Taylor had a “psychological condition” and that the offence was “devastating” for her.

Judge Richard Rundell also told her to complete 100 hours of unpaid work and pay £600 in court costs. “This is a particularly serious offence of dishonesty because you stole from your employer and normally people who steal from their employer go to prison,” he said.