A NURSERY owner whose employee stole more than £1,000 in cash from his business said he feels “utterly betrayed.”

Julie Singleton, 47, of Kirkstone Road, Ambleside, pleaded guilty to three counts of theft at South Lakeland Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (July 21).

Susie Kavanagh, prosecuting, told the court that Singleton had taken £1349 from K2 Nursery between August 2008 and April 2009.

Mrs Kavanagh told the court that between August 16 and August 30 2008, the nursery owner, Sheona Cunniff went on holiday leaving the nursery - where Singleton was employed as a supervisor - in the hands of her staff.

During that time the defendant collected several payments from parents worth £469.

When challenged by another staff member, Singleton admitted stealing and handed back £100, but denied taking the £369 still outstanding.

Mrs Kavanagh said that between June 1 and June 20, Jane Exley - a parent whose child attends the nursery - handed four separate payments of £90 to Singleton.

Between January and June 2009, Gary Smith - another parent - paid £520 to Singleton. The defendant failed to hand this money back to the business.

Paul Williams, defending, said Singleton had been married for 25 years and had recently separated from her husband.

He said Singleton had never worked and had struggled to pay the household bills following her separation and had begun to run up debts.

He said Singleton was struggling to cope with the recent death of her parents while caring for her teenage son and an ill relative.

Mr Williams said at this time, Singleton had been prosecuted by the DSS for claiming Job Seekers Allowance and Council Tax benefit whilst in full time employment.

He said the defendant was remorseful and upset that she had lost “a valued friendship.”

Magistrates ordered Singleton to pay back £750 and serve a 12 month community order with a 12 month suspension order.

Speaking after the hearing, nursery owner David Cunniff said his wife had been “devastated” by Singleton’s actions.

“My wife was gutted with the result,” he said. “I don’t understand why she wasn’t made to pay it all back.

“We feel absolutely betrayed, she’s taken so much from us and the betrayal of the other staff has been terrible.”