A young woman who stole small sums of money from work colleagues did it because she was short of cash to buy food and pay bills, had no friends and no family support, a court has been told.
Jennifer Ruth Boyle, of Empire Terrace in Douglas, rifled through bags and pockets of her colleagues taking modest amounts of cash – between £10 and £50 during November and December last year.
But the court heard the 20-year-old was full of remorse and acted out of desperation.
She admitted five offences of theft at an earlier hearing, which was then adjourned for pre-sentence reports.
Boyle’s advocate, Winston Taylor, said the defendant had been left to fend for herself from the age of 17. She had sought help, he said, and had been badly let down.
‘She was ill-equipped for life as an adult and has struggled to cope. She had nowhere to turn and no one to talk to; her best friend was her cat,’ he said.
Though she had found a job, he said her basic living expenses far exeeded her income.
‘She found herself in spiralling debt exacerbated by a pay-day loan, and this left her with no money for food, clothing or heating. To steal was not an easy choice,’ he said.
Boyle had written a letter of apology which, he said, showed the whole experience had had a profound effect on her.
‘This was elucidated last time in the summary. She gave a full account to police on her arrest and entered guilty pleas so full credit is merited for that,’ he said.
Though the defendant had previous cautions, he emphasised the thefts were not for ‘frivolous enrichment’ but to ‘prevent starvation’.
‘A seismic event happened in her life at 17 and from that point on she was left to fend for herself. She has deep regret and significant victim empathy,’ he said.
Mr Taylor told the court the defendant was working and support measures were now in place for her. He asked the court to consider a discharge, or community service, but said the custody threshold was not passed.
However, Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes did not agree.
‘I’m not necessarily with you so you will need to persuade me,’ she said.
‘This was a breach of trust and a serious offence in which she stole repeatedly from colleagues. It’s never necessary to steal from one’s colleagues.’
Mrs Hughes noted probation and community service had both been ruled out as a sentence, but that Boyle was receiving support with budgeting and day-to-day living skills. For each offence she received eight weeks’ custody, suspended for two years. She pays £110 compensation for the stolen cash and £125 costs.