A FORMER employee of Waitrose in Bridport has been given a suspended prison sentence after she admitted stealing more than £5,000 from the store.

Hayley Rose Martin, 24, of North Allington in Bridport, pleaded guilty to stealing £5,275 in cash from Waitrose in Bridport when she worked there.

Appearing at Weymouth Magistrates Court on April 15, the defendant was sentenced to prison for eight weeks, suspended for one year.

She was also ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid community work within the next year.

She was also ordered to pay compensation of £5,275 and costs of £85.

The defendant also admitted to stealing £415 cash from Weymouth on another occasion and was sentenced to prison for eight weeks, suspended for one year, to run consecutive to the previous sentence with requirements as above.

In addition, she was ordered to pay compensation of £415.

Bridport Waitrose and Waitrose head office were contacted for comment.