The Crown alleges that Danielle Cook, 26, stole £17,807.68 in total, but she maintains that she only took £10,000
Danielle Cook
A Post Office employee has admitted stealing £10,000 within three months.
Teesside Magistrates’ Court heard that Danielle Cook, 26, was working at the Post Office in Port Clarence and stole thousands of pounds last year.
Cook was working in the shop on Port Clarence Road and pleaded guilty to taking the money between July 1 and September 30 2015.
Paula Sanderson, prosecuting, said that Cook, of Cornwall Street, Hartlepool stole the sum as she was able to access the lottery money that is kept in the shop.
She added: “The theft was discovered when a person from lottery funding did an impromptu check and carried out an audit at the Post Office.”
The Crown alleges that Cook stole £17,807.68 in total but she maintains that she only took £10,000.
Ms Sanderson said that as the total sum is over the magistrate threshold the case would need to be transferred to Crown Court.
But as Cook only admits to taking £10,000 a Newton hearing will have to take place on August 10 to determine whether Cook will be sentenced for the full amount.
Defending Cook, Eric Watson, said:” This is a case where theft is admitted but the value is disputed.”
Chair of the bench, Valerie Dawson, said that a Newton hearing was “the way forward” and added: “This is a serious matter and the amount of theft you are disputing will have a substantial bearing on the outcome.”
Ms Dawson granted Cook bail until her next appearance.