A CAFE worker who stole more than £16,500 from the Oxfordshire Museum “betrayed” the trust of her employers, the county council has said.

Helen Seacole, of Woodstock Road, Witney, admitted four charges of theft by an employee, committed between October 2008 and July last year.

Jonathan Stone, prosecuting yesterday in Oxford Crown Court, said in total the 52-year-old had taken £16,596 while running the shop and cafe at the county council-run museum in Park Street, Woodstock.

Judge Charles Harris said Seacole had been able to steal the money because she was responsible for recording the cafe’s accounts and banking its takings.

But he added that in July last year the defendant had finally called a personnel adviser at the council and told her employer what she had done.

Mr Stone said her colleagues had become suspicious when Seacole kept telling them the cafe’s money was at her home or in her car.

Jenny Stone, defending, said her client told the police she had stolen the money to pay for her daughter’s school fees, which were more expensive than she and her husband had anticipated.

The barrister said there had been significant debt problems within the family and Seacole felt it was down to her to deal with them.

Miss Stone said: “It was one bill too many. She knew there was money in the back of her car, she thought she would be able to pay it back.

“She has done it once and it has spiralled out of control.”

Miss Stone added that her client could repay the entire amount stolen immediately.

Judge Harris sentenced Seacole to eight months in prison, suspended for 18 months, and ordered her to pay £16,596 compensation and £475 costs.

He said: “This is a sad case. You are a woman of previous good character and you have been out of trouble completely until last year.”

"But people in positions of financial responsibility, as you were, do have a duty to be honest - it is quite fundamental.

He added that otherwise "society would simply not operate".

In a statement after the hearing, the county council said: "Helen Seacole betrayed the trust that was placed in her by committing these criminal acts whilst at work.

"Theft is clearly unacceptable and Ms Seacole recognised her guilt by admitting in court the offences she committed.

"Her deception was detected before she rang the council to confess and immediate action to suspend Ms Seacole from her work duties was taken.

"She was subsequently arrested and then tendered her resignation, which was accepted."