‘Desperate’ mother stole to pay debts

A PREGNANT mother stole £4,000 from her Post Office bosses to clear her mounting debts.

Alison Ann Gallagher of Ripponden Road owed around £13,000, partly to payday loan companies.

The 32 year old became desperate after a visit from bailiffs in early August. The day after the visit she transferred the money to her own debit card while at work.

The Post Office was alerted when a till was down by £4,000. The manager watched CCTV footage showing Gallagher making the transfer.

Gallagher, who had worked for the Post office for more than a decade pleaded guilty and said she had spent the money paying off spiralling debt.

Steve Parker, defending, said: “She accepts this is a very serious matter and is deeply remorseful. This was an act of desperation, not greed.”

She was given an 18-week jail sentence suspended for 12 months, and ordered to do 100 hours of unpaid work by Oldham magistrates and pay an £80 vicim surcharge.

The Post Office was told to pursue a civil case to get its money back.