A SHOP boss stole thousands of pounds from the cancer charity she managed so she could pay for her boiler to be repaired.

Jane Brider banked takings from Jane’s Charity Shop, in Romsey, days late so she could fiddle the accounts and pocket the money which was meant for nearby cancer support centre Jane Scarth House.

In total the 52-year-old – who previously ran a Sue Ryder shop in Southampton and was caught defrauding Clarks while a manager at the organisation – stole £2,489.53 from the Romsey shop.

Southampton Crown Court heard that between April 2017 and February 2018, Brider, who joined the charity shop in 2016, would take the store’s daily earnings and bank it after taking a cut for herself.

Brider’s reign of “mistrust” was bought to an end when she went only holiday and another staff member carried out an audit on the charity which revealed its takings were down.

In a statement read by prosecutor Nicholas Hall to the court, former Mountbatten School student Brider admitted the theft, adding: “I feel I have let myself down, my family down – but worse the charity that I worked for.

“I am so very sorry for what I have done and I will return the money.”

Jane Scarth House provides emotional and practical support to those whose lived are affected by cancer.

It opened in 1995 and was founded in memory of Romsey resident and mother-of-two, Jane Scarth, whose family still remain closely involved with the work of the charity.

Previously Brider was convicted of defrauding Winchester High Street shop Clarks out of £6,250 in cash and shoes while manager.

Claire Wiggett, mitigating, told the court Brider was unable to cope with financial pressures and the money wasn’t stolen to live a lavish lifestyle but for roofing repairs and to fix her home’s boiler.

Brider, of Friars Croft, Calmore, pleaded guilty to theft by employee and was sentenced to 10 months’ imprisonment, suspended for 12 months.

She must carry out 200 hours’ unpaid work, will be electronically tagged for four months and must complete 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

As well as this, Brider has 28 days to repay compensation to the charity or will be jailed for two months.

Following Brider’s conviction, RCSC chair, Bridget Brook, said: “We are saddened that someone connected with our charity acted in this way and are grateful to everyone connected with us who continue to give their valued support.”