A Bermuda Police Service employee who stole a cell phone has been given a conditional discharge and sentenced to 50 hours community service.

Last month, station duty officer Kizwanda Van Putten, of St. George's, was found guilty of stealing a Blackberry Bold while on Police duty.

At the earlier hearing, Magistrates' Court heard that a woman had left her Blackberry at a Bank of Bermuda ATM.

It was later handed to station duty officer, Van Putten who never recorded the cell phone as missing.

She later asked an officer to erase information on the cell phone and the officer complied believing it belonged to Van Putten.

When the owner asked about the phone, Van Putten said there was no documented evidence of the missing cell phone. She was questioned about the matter and admitted taking the phone.

On Tuesday, Magistrate Juan Wolffe reminded Van Putten, who lost her job as a civilian employee following the original case, that it was serious offence especially since she unknowingly involved a colleague.

Van Putten apologised to the court and added: "I don't know why I took the phone, I am usually a trustworthy person and I could have bought my own phone."

She said: "I am a good, reliable, trustworthy person, I'm not sure what was going through my head. I have apologised to the lady and I am prepared to face up to my responsibilities."

The 28-year-old said after she got home that day, she felt guilty about what she had done and immediately brought the phone back to the station.

Mr. Wolffe gave Van Putten a conditional discharge for 12 months, ordered a psychological assessment, and drug testing in addition to 50 hours of community service.