A devout Muslim, who could not resist a “till bursting with cash” at the trendy ladies boutique she worked at, rang up twenty-five bogus refunds, pocketing £775, a court heard.
Student Aklima Begum, 19, of Messiter House, Barnsbury Estate, Islington, who studies English at City of Westminster College was caught on internal CCTV processing the phantom refunds.
She pleaded guilty at City of London Magistrates’ Court to dishonestly abusing a position of trust with intent to gain, namely by generating false refunds for herself, between February 12 and July 21 at Warehouse, Blomfield Street.
Prosecutor Miss Regina Naughton told the court management at the store discovered a shortfall and after viewing CCTV saw Begum – who has a shoplifting caution – process refunds without the presence of a customer on five separate occasions.
When quizzed by police Begum confessed to repeating the fraud on twenty-five occasions, claiming she acted in “desperation” due to a lack on money.
Begum, wearing traditional Muslim dress and revealing only her face, has five brothers and sisters and a jobless father recovering from a heart attack.
Her lawyer Miss Joanne Lockston said her client supports herself through college with her family taking the rest of the money she earns. “She could not resist a till bursting with cash.”
The JP’s conditionally discharged Begum for eighteen months, ordering her to pay £775 compensation to the boutique plus £75 costs.
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