Woman steals from employer to buy groceries

A 19-year-old woman will have to repay $90,000 that she stole from her employer, which she said she used to purchase groceries.

Abby Walters pleaded guilty to larceny as a servant on Thursday in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court. The details of the matter were not shared in court.

"You have to be careful when you handling people's money, you have to resist the urge to assist yourself," Senior Parish Judge Lori-Anne Cole-Montaque advised.

Walters told the court that she is not able to find the funds to begin repayment, as she is unable to secure employment because she does not have any government-issued identification.

"I am going to sell a [weed] whacker," the defendant revealed.

"But look at you at 19 years old. You are telling me you don't have an ID so you can't get a job and the one person take a chance with you and a this you do?" the senior judge said, condemning the teen's actions.

"I'm sorry," Walters expressed, before handing over a first payment of $24,500 to the complainant.

Walters was made the subject of a fingerprint order and is expected to return to court on December 13 for sentencing.

- T.T.