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Suspended prison sentence for Tui agent who stole almost £50k

A Tui travel agent who stole almost £50,000 from a branch in Kendal over the course of more than three years has received a suspended prison sentence.

Layla Elizabeth Hayhurst, 30, of Siding Close in Lancaster, was sentenced at Carlisle Crown Court on Monday for stealing £49,220.95.

The assistant manager, who left Tui after the investigation, had been charged with theft by employee between November 2, 2016, and February 8, 2020.

The case came to light when a cash bag was mistakenly reported missing and, when CCTV was examined, she was seen taking money from a till.

Further scrutiny of CCTV showed she had exploited a foreign currency buy-back guarantee through which £3.95 cash refunds were issued but not audited.

She had taken money on 12,461 separate occasions.

Hayhurst pleaded guilty to theft by employee during her first court appearance in December.

Her 12-month prison sentence, handed out on January 4, was suspended for two years.

Hayhurst must also complete 200 hours’ unpaid work and have an electronically monitored three-month night-time curfew. Furthermore, she must pay a £140 victim surcharge.

A Tui UK spokesperson said: “We take all criminal activity very seriously and will always investigate and report such matters to the police where evidence of wrongdoing exists.

“We would like to thank the police for their support and quick action in dealing with this case so effectively. We hope the outcome serves as some comfort to those impacted.”

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