Ref. 29412-33NEWSAGENT Rose Earle has spoken of her relief after a former friend and employee admitted stealing cash and goods from her Old Town shop.

Glenice Reynolds was Mrs Earle's trusted employee and close confidante for 15 years, but at Swindon Court yesterday she wept as she pleaded guilty to six counts of theft.

Reynolds, 59, of Thornford Drive, Westlea, spoke only to confirm her name and enter guilty pleas to all six charges, all committed last April.

When the Advertiser broke the news to Mrs Earle, who has run Earle's Newsagents in Newport Street with her husband Myles for the past 30 years, she was delighted and said she now wanted to draw a line under the upsetting episode.

Mrs Earle, 53, said: "I felt an intense relief and vindication now perhaps we can move on.

"We knew we had a problem with our business and looked at all angles. Last Easter we installed CCTV and it showed was a member of staff taking goods from the shelves and money from the till, which was never reported to us. This lady worked for me for 15 years or more, during which time she appeared kind and considerate."

Mr Earle suffered a breakdown in 2001 and today rarely works, but Reynolds became someone Mrs Earle could trust and discuss her troubles with.

Reynolds would make Mrs Earle sandwiches and give her clothes she no longer wanted.

Mrs Earle said: "She would give me odd pieces of clothes if she didn't want them and when my husband was ill, and I was under strain, she appeared immensely kind now I know what was going on I feel a tremendous sense of betrayal and anger towards her, although I didn't really like the clothes she gave me anyway.

"She was extremely helpful, willing and would share her problems and ask my advice. When my husband was ill I talked to her."

The amount of money involved in the theft was not revealed to Judge John McNaught during yesterday's brief hearing. He released Reynolds on unconditional bail to reappear on Friday, April 2 for sentencing. In the meantime the probation service will prepare pre-sentence reports.

Reynolds was one of a number of part-time staff employed at Earle's and was paid around £4.85 an hour. She was sacked on the spot last Easter on suspicion of theft.

Giles Sheldrick