A FORMER nightime co-ordinator for the Dover Partnership Against Crime who was convicted of stealing money from Kent Police has been ordered to do unpaid community work.

Kelley Haughey, 34, was said to have been found guilty on "compelling evidence" of stealing £65 from a drawer in the office DPAC shared with two beat officers at Dover Police Station last year.

She told the jury at Canterbury Crown Court she had taken the cash for safe keeping because the drawer was not lockable. She fully intended to return it later and never had any intention of keeping it.

Haughey, of Folkestone Road, Dover, was convicted in July and sentence adjourned for reports.

She returned to the court on Friday and was told by Judge Michael O’Sullivan that although the amount was not great, she had been in a position of trust which she abused in an association set up to prevent criminal activity.

For a short time, she had brought the partnership into disrepute and shame on herself and lost her good reputation, he said.

"The offence is serious enough to warrant a community order," added Judge O’Sullivan. Haughey must do 180 hours unpaid work and pay £600 costs.

Giles Morrison, defending, said she accepted the jury’s verdict and now worked in her family’s business. He said publicity, her loss of good character and good reputation were important to her.