uttering false credit card slips was given a suspended six-month sentence and ordered to carry out 100 hours of community service by Magistrate the Wor.

John Judge.

Carolyn Joanne Waldron of Ferry Road admitted siphoning $3,910.90 from the White Horse Tavern while she was employed there as a waitress.

The court heard that between May and August of this year, Waldron made extra charge slips from customers' credit cards, filled them out, and pocketed the money.

Waldron's lawyer Mr. Archie Warner told Mr. Judge that his client "was experiencing economic difficulties'' at the time of the offences, and was facing eviction from her residence.

Mr. Warner said the 35-year-old offered to repay the money, which the owners of the restaurant have agreed to accept. Recommending a non-custodial sentence, Mr. Warner said his client had already "paid enough'' for her actions because she lost her job and has had to withstand acute embarrassment and shame.

Mr. Judge told Waldron that if she had had a previous conviction, he would have sentenced her to prison.

"Employers have a right to expect honesty from their employees,'' he said.