A WOMAN who stole her friend's Giro cheque has been given a 12-month conditional discharge after her victim begged for a lenient sentence for her.

Worcester magistrates heard Zahra Novinpoor and her partner-in-crime stole Helen Webster's £231.50 Giro while all three were staying in sheltered accommodation in Evesham.

Suzanne Llewellyn, prosecuting, said Novinpoor and her accomplice cashed it at Evesham Post Office on Wednesday, December 19 while the victim had gone away for a few days.

"The defendant and her accomplice saw the letter which contained a cheque made out to the victim when it came through the letterbox," she said.

"So the defendant took it to a local post office and falsely claimed to be the person on the cheque with the intention of giving £60 to the accomplice and keeping the rest for herself."

Very sorry

Novinpoor, of Rynal Place, Evesham, admitted theft and obtaining property by deception.

Richard Wilkes, defending, said Novinpoor was very sorry and said she had paid Miss Webster £100 back shortly after the incident.

He also told the court Miss Webster had asked him to plead with the magistrates for leniency.

"The defendant and the other person knew what the letter was," said Mr Wilkes.

"They had no money and it was coming up to Christmas and as they needed the money they took it.

"But my client was forthright in paying Miss Webster her part of the money back. They were good friends before this, and they still are."

Magistrates ordered Novinpoor to pay the remaining £131.50 in compensation, £40 costs and gave her a 12-month conditional discharge.