Hotel thief spared jail

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), June 23, 2009

A TRUSTED worker who stole cash from a seaside hotel was spared jail.

Zeldra Wood had been appointed an assistant manager at the Littlehaven, South Shields.

But she abused her position to pocket more than pounds 1,000 before she was caught and arrested last year.

Wood, 32, of Beach Road, South Shields admitted theft between last January and December.

Recorder Graeme Hyland imposed a 12- month community order with supervision..

"You are of good character" he told Wood.

"This was a serious breach of trust but the consequences to you have been pretty devastating.

"I am not going to punish you by imposing a prison sentence." Wood was ordered to pay pounds 1,197 compensation at pounds 50 a month.

"I must warn you if you breach the order - and I doubt very much you will - you can be brought back to court and sentenced afresh," Recorder Hyland said..