A FORMER casino worker who pilfered thousands of pounds has been ordered to pay money back.

Caroline Maguire created fake documents to steal from the safe of the Rendezvous Casino at Brighton Marina. The 51-year-old wanted to pay off bills and payday loan debts, but got greedy and took nearly £50,000 to live more extravagantly.

She was considered a model and trusted employee who was well liked and respected by management. But her theft was exposed when managers realised there was a big loss, and began an inquiry.

Earlier this year she received a 16-month suspended prison sentence for admitting the theft between July 2017 and May 2018.

Mum-of-two Maguire was ordered to complete 240 hours of unpaid work, and lost her good character “spectacularly”.

Previously Stefan Hyman, prosecuting, said £49,000 was taken when she used “hand pays” receipts to create false winnings, and then took the money from the safe.

He said: “When she was first approached about the loss, she did suggest it might have been another colleague, shortly afterwards she was suspended.

“The payments started small, but at one point she took £4,000 per month. She admitted to officers she had been greedy.

“She said she felt stupid, and had ruined a perfectly good job, and let other people down.”

But prosecutors in court on July 4 said the benefit she had gained was estimated at £162,650. She sat quietly as a Proceeds of Crime Act confiscation hearing this week was told that her bank account had been frozen to allow Rendezvous Casino to claw some of the cash back.

Matthew Simpson, prosecuting, said the estimated benefit was £162,650, despite the conviction for stealing £49,000.

He said: “She pleaded guilty in February this year, and an application for confiscation was made.”

Brian Shaw, defending, said Maguire, of Collingwood Close, Peacehaven, would be able to pay £4,850 still in a frozen bank account.

Previously he said: “The trigger seems to have been the death of her mother, perhaps bringing up unpleasant memories from her childhood.

“Although initially taking small amounts to pay for household bills, her expenditure increased to more expensive tastes.”

Judge Paul Tain ordered the £4,850 to be paid within 28 days, there was no objection from the defence.