A BALLYMENA woman faces up to a year in jail after she admitted stealing more than £12,00 from the care home where she worked.
Appearing at Ballymena Magistrates Court 29-year-old Laura Dowie, from the Parkmount Road, pleaded guilty to stealing more than £12,000 belonging to the Care Circle Group in Dunmurry and a further charge of fraud by abuse of position on dates between October 31, 2012 and January 20, 2015.
No details were given in court as to how Dowie, who was described as a "home administrator", carried out the offences but District Judge Des Perry queried why the prosecution had been directed in the Magistrates Court rather than in the Crown Court, which carries greater sentencing powers.
A lawyer for the Public Prosecution Service told the judge that Dowie had made full admissions, had co-operated fully with police, repaid the money promptly and had shown "genuine remorse" for her actions, which meant the investigating officer felt the sentencing powers in the Magistrates Court were adequate in this case.
The case has been adjourned to September 3 while the judge awaits pre-sentence reports.
