A CHECKOUT assistant at a Walney store stole scratchcards and phone top-up vouchers on a daily basis to "make herself feel better".

Teenager Alice Mary-lyn Woodcock was caught on CCTV pocketing the items as she worked at Walney's Tesco Express store in Ocean Road.

Prosecutor Mr Lee Dacre told Furness Magistrates' Court yesterday how a till discrepancy led to staff uncovering a string of thefts.

He said: "The defendant was employed as a checkout assistant at the Tesco in Ocean Road. During the period between March 14 and April 5 she stole 79 scratchcards on different occasions. They were prices at between £2 and £10. It totalled £360.

"The defendant was scanning the cards but reducing the price to 0.1 pence. This was happening on a daily basis.

"On April 5 she printed two phone top-up vouchers and later that day a member of staff noticed there was a discrepancy in the till. An internal investigation was carried out and CCTV was looked at. They saw the defendant taking scratchcards and putting them in her pocket.

When she was arrested police found used scratchcards in her bedroom. She said she had won on several occasions but nothing major."

The 19-year-old, of Ramsden Street, Barrow, admitted theft between March 14 and April 5 that she dishonestly made a false representation, namely dishonestly reducing the price of lottery cards and phone credit vouchers intending to make a gain for herself.

Mr Michael Graham, defending said: "She has expressed her remorse for her actions to the police. She has a lot of insecurities and likes to buy herself things to make herself feel better.

"She has depression and anxiety and at that time there were problems within the family unit. They were dealing with another family member that was more urgent and so she was trying to deal with her issues herself.

"She is a lady of previous good character and has been dismissed from her employment. She is hoping to start a college course in September and move to Kendal."

Magistrates ordered Woodcock to carry out 18 hours at an adult detention centre and put her under a 36-week community order. She must also pay £360 in compensation.