A SHOP supervisor who stole National Lottery scratchcards from her employers in order to buy a new car wept as she was jailed last week.

Gemma Francis began stealing the cards from Costcutters in Ripon Road, Winton, shortly after she first began working for the chain in December 2016.

She continued carrying out the thefts until she was caught on CCTV in December last year.

In total, Francis, 27, stole scratchcards worth a total of £21,480, and claimed £11,780 in winnings.

She admitted theft by employee and theft, and appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court for sentence on Friday.

Stuart Ellacott, prosecuting, said cards are supplied to Costcutters by Camelot UK and then activated at lottery terminals. Francis was eventually captured on film pocketing packets of the cards, which cost between £1 and £10 each, and activating them herself.

She claimed her winnings at different shops, and went to the Post Office for more substantial claims.

The defendant's thefts came to light when the store was audited.

"Francis was approached by the manager on New Year's Day," Mr Ellacott said.

"She was spoken to and readily admitted she had taken the scratchcards, and had been doing so since joining the company.

"She was asked why she had done this by the manager, but didn't seem to quite know why.

"Her best answer was that she was saving for a new car."

Francis, who has no previous convictions, has worked in retail or childcare jobs since leaving education. She was previously held at knifepoint during a robbery, the court heard.

Kevin Hill, mitigating, said the defendant lives with her mum and dad in Glenville Road, Bournemouth.

"This has all come as a shock to her parents," Mr Hill said.

"The family has never been involved in the criminal justice system. It has brought a great deal of shame on them.

"They have told very few people what has happened, and confided only in those close to them."

Francis has offered little explanation for why she carried out the thefts, but may have a problem with gambling, Mr Hill said.

"She refers to going to bingo a lot," he said.

"It is something her father has been concerned about. She also uses the slot machines at the bingo."

Judge Jonathan Fuller QC said Francis was involved in "prolonged" offending.

"Each taking of a packet of cards represented a deliberate criminal act in order to enrich yourself from the potential payout," he said.

Francis was sentenced to eight month in prison. Her savings of £1,500 will be split between Camelot UK and Costcutters as compensation.