A TRUSTED 21-year-old Machynlleth employee has admitted stealing £5,000 from the store where she worked.

Catherine Lloyd-Jones, of Maes yr Orsaf, Aberllefenni, was bailed to Caernarfon Crown Court for sentencing after magistrates decided their powers were not sufficient.

She mustn’t enter the Fairbourne shop and post office, where the money was taken from.

Prosecutor Julia Galston at Caernarfon Magistrates’ Court said there were thousands of “voided” transactions in which the defendant would then steal the money.

Lloyd-Jones also failed to pay for scratch cards and stole winnings.

Mrs Galston said the amount in the charge was an “approximate” value.

“It would be extremely difficult to prove every occasion,” she added.

Shop owner Cathryn Walford said in a statement: “I was deeply saddened to think any of my staff would steal from me.

“I had to check all my 10 staff behind their backs. This felt like snooping on them.”

The businesswoman said the defendant “was the one I trusted the most”.

She said she had asked herself: “Why is she doing this to me?”

The statement added: “She was a full-time employee and someone I considered, stupidly, to be my friend.”

Locals had wondered why police were at the shop.

“There were all sorts of rumours flying around,” the statement added.

“She’s stolen my trust in people completely.”

A probation officer said tearful Lloyd-Jones regretted her actions deeply.

Defence solicitor Bethan Williams told the court: “She does wish to convey her sincere apologies and her recognition that her decision-making has been extremely flawed.”

She co-operated with police and her father is to assist in paying compensation, the solicitor added.