A baby shop has had to close its doors after an employee stole thousands of pounds worth of stock.

Owner of the LiliMay store in Portslade, Tess Dawson, said she was ‘heartbroken’ to have to call time on the shop she named after her disabled daughter.

She claims the businesses’ finances crashed after employee Darren Fagan stole thousands of pounds worth of stock, including designer baby products from Dior and Ralph Lauren.

The 31-year-old part-time shop worker from Belvedere Avenue, Lancing, was filmed on CCTV stashing a baby buggy and other items away near the front door of the shop before taking them home.

He was arrested and pleaded guilty to stealing more than £2,327 worth of items when he appeared at Brighton Magistrates’ Court.

A spokeswoman for the Crown Prosecution Service said Fagan had received a 12 week suspended sentence and ordered to pay £2,084 in compensation.

After months of financial struggle Mrs Dawson has now closed the shop while she negotiates with a potential buyer interested in taking the business over.

Numerous customers who paid online for baby products are waiting for a refund.

Mrs Dawson said: “This is a heartbreaking experience, I have lost a business I worked very hard at.

“Me and my family have not been on holiday for six years.

“I believe the shop would have succeeded and made a profit this year had this not happened.

“My customers are a priority and I hope we can honour any money owed.”

Fagan had previous convictions for dishonesty but had stayed out of trouble for more than ten years.

Mrs Dawson has lobbied MPs to allow bosses to make free criminal record checks before taking staff on.