Magistrates' Court of stealing more than $7,000.

Maria Elaine Burgess, 26, of North Shore, Hamilton Parish, stole $7,247.53 from the Francis Patton School PTA between October 1, 1992 and October 31, 1993.

Insp. Peter Duffy, prosecuting, told Senior Magistrate the Wor. Will Francis that as PTA treasurer, Burgess was responsible for incoming funds and bill payments.

"On January 7 this year, PTA president Mr. Philip Roque was checking the books, and discovered a discrepancy of $7,247.53. $3,893.87 was missing from the June raffle, $745 from the Christmas raffle, $1,264.10 from the Walk-a-Thon, $681.16 from the Family Day Fair, $348.47 from the Valentine's Day dinner, and $40 from PTA funds. There was also $275 worth of personal cheques not accounted for.'' Burgess later admitted to stealing $6,972.53 in cash and cashing four cheques, together totalling $7,247.53. She told Police that she had taken the money to pay personal bills and hospital bills for her son.

Mr. Francis bailed Burgess in the sum of $1,000 and ordered a social inquiry report, setting the matter for mention on June 2.