A hotel worker stole more than $1,000 from her employers because she was "in over her head in bills'' Magistrates' Court heard on Thursday.

Tereca Swainson, a 20-year-old mother of one, admitted stealing from the front desk float of the Sonesta Beach Hotel on three occasions while employed as a receptionist.

On the first occasion, in July, she took $700, said prosecutor Sgt. Rex Osborne. The money was discovered missing by the cashier who was on her shift.

On the second occasion she was seen by her shift partner dipping into the float, Sgt. Osborne said.

Swainson had explained to the woman she was changing up money. However, the woman later discovered $260 was missing from the float and reported the matter to management.

Swainson again stole from the float on August 11, this time taking $200.

Management called the Police and Swainson was arrested, Sgt. Osborne said.

She admitted the offences, saying she "needed the money because she was in over her head in bills'', he told the court.

Senior Magistrate the Wor. Will Francis ordered a social inquiry report and adjourned the case for sentencing to September 24.