AN ashamed teenager has avoided prison after stealing more than £1,500 of cash and clothes from her employer.

Shannia Dann, 19, was caught stealing money and stock while working at Next, in High Street, Colchester, between 2015 and 2017.

Bosses grew suspicious and set up covert CCTV to catch her red-handed.

Dann, of Ash Rise, Nayland, admitted a charge of theft at Colchester Magistrates Court yesterday.

Philip Pearson, prosecuting, said: “Having installed covert CCTV cameras, they showed she had been removing cash from the till.

“She was then called to a disciplinary hearing where she admitted to taking money from her employers over a period of time she could not recall.

“She admitted in interview to taking stock estimated to be approximately £1,000.

“A search was conducted at her home, where clothing items were seized by the police with Next labels still attached.

“She wasn’t sure about the amount of money taken but estimated it was about £40 on each occasion.”

Dann also admitted using refunds at the store to claim back cash on stolen goods.

Matthew Swash, mitigating, said Dann had a difficult home life. He said: “She is 19-years-old and has never been involved in anything like this before.

“Her mother is going through aggressive cancer treatment, she has two 18-year-old sisters and her father is working.

“Her mum has been ill, her father struggles financially and no-one else works in the family.

“It is not an explanation, I don’t know what was going on in her head - it knocked the family sideways.

“Character references describe her has mild-mannered, conscientious and reliable.

“At her disciplinary hearing she was open and honest, explaining what she had taken.

“There has been £500 in cash and about £1,000 in stock stolen. She has returned £604 worth of stock, there is a £896 shortfall.

“Her family are dismayed and she is ashamed.”

He added: “She has immediately gone out and done what a lot of people do not do - find employment again.

“She has been open and honest with that employer, they are aware she is here today.”

Dann was ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work, pay £900 in compensation to Next and £170 of court costs.