A former shop assistant faces an anxious wait in custody while a judge decides whether to lock her up for stealing cash.

Bradford Crown Court heard on Monday how 27-year-old mum Caroline Clark was caught on film by a specially installed security camera at the premises of Aire View Stores in Silsden.

Prosecutor Jayne Chaplain said in her interview with police Clark estimated she was taking up to £60 a week from the till and that the amount would have netted her more than £3,000 between Novem-ber last year and February this year.

Miss Chaplain revealed how the owner of the general store was told about a shortfall by his accountant and he was advised by the police to install a security camera trained on the till. Six days after putting the camera in Clark, who had no previous convictions, was seen removing money.

Clark, of Aire View, Silsden, pleaded guilty to three charges of theft.

Her barrister Julia Nelson indicated that her client now believed she had stolen between £600 and £800. She said Clark was suffering from a depressive illness at the time of the offences and admitted taking some of the money to buy Christmas presents for her children.

Miss Nelson argued that because of Clark's previous circumstances the case could be dealt with by means of a community penalty, but Recorder Roger Keen QC said he wanted time to consider the appropriate punishment.

He told a tearful Clark: "I want to think about your case. I will adjourn sentence until Friday.

"In the meantime you will have to stay in custody.

"If I make up my mind before Friday I will let the court service know and have you brought back sooner."

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