sentencing for ripping off her employers of almost $50,000.

Phyllis Burchall, 43, issued forged receipts for rents worth $26,290 which she did not hand over to Progressive Realty, where she worked as a rent coordinator.

She also overpaid landlords she felt sorry for, or who gave her a hard time, to the tune of $20,540. On another occasion she forged a statement in a landlord's account for $1,400.

Burchall also conned bartender Steven Wade into handing over $2,400 in rent and deposit for a property in Warwick which she did not own.

In addition, she forged signatures for a rental agreement which was higher than the agreed rate, which has now resulted in a civil case.

At Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, Burchall, 43, pleaded guilty to ten charges of dishonesty between April 1, 1998, and June 22 this year.

Burchall, of Ocean Avenue, Warwick, was appearing for sentencing on another 12 similar charges and asked for a further 25 offences to be taken into consideration.

Magistrate Edward King remanded Burchall in custody to be sentenced at Supreme Court because his maximum sentencing powers of 12 months were inadequate.

Crown counsel Cindy Clarke said Burchall's criminal record stretched back to 1977. Her most recent conviction was in 1992 when she was jailed for three months for theft and forgery.

Ms Clarke said Burchall stole $26,290 by issuing tenants receipts for rent from "ghost files'', which did not tally with the company.

She ripped off the company for a further $20,450 by overpaying landlords "she felt sorry for or who gave her a hard time'', said Ms Clarke. There was no suggestion she received any of the money, however.

Ms Clarke said Burchall was sitting in a bar in Pembroke where Mr. Wade worked and overheard him saying he was looking for accommodation.

She said she had a property on Tribe Road Number Two in Warwick. Mr. Wade said he would take it and paid more than $2,400, but Burchall did not return.

His subsequent investigations showed that Burchall did not own the property involved.

Ms Clarke said Burchall told Police she "did these things as a sickness and did it for someone else''.

Mr. King agreed to a request from her solicitor Michelle St. James that a psychiatric report be prepared before Burchall was sentenced at Supreme Court.