A family who run a hairdressers have spoken of the betrayal when their former friend and stylist was caught on CCTV stealing cash from the salon safe.

Katrina Weller, of Hartshill Road, Northfleet, was caught red-handed after footage showed her swiping wads of notes from Top Cuts in the Thamesgate Centre.

The 33-year-old admitted two charges of theft by employee and a separate shoplifting offence when she appeared at Dartford Magistrates’ Court on Thursday last week.

Weller joined the salon as a stylist in March and became close to owner Cindy Meggs, her husband Chris and their daughter Tuesday.

But the friendship ended in October when she was caught on camera taking the safe keys from Mrs Meggs’ handbag before unlocking it to take the money.

She committed two thefts in the space of a week and apologised immediately when challenged about the incidents.

On October 22, she took £45 from the safe and took a further £85 a week later.

The court heard the owners installed CCTV to cover the safe area after becoming suspicious about money going missing when takings were down in April and August.

Her defence team told the court Weller was struggling financially and was also suffering because her partner’s mother died from lung cancer just days before the thefts.

Her lawyer said: “She does not seek to apportion blame and she accepts the family are innocent victims.

“After her wages, there was very little left to live on and she made the wrong decision.

“At times of straitened financial climate she made decisions otherwise she wouldn’t have made.”

Chairman of the bench Alison Vosper asked Weller if she had anything she would like to say, to which she responded “sorry”.When told her conviction could harm her employment hopes when applying for future jobs, Weller replied: “I know”.

She was sentenced to a 12-month community order, as part of which she must carry out 150 hours of unpaid work and compensate her victims £130.

She was also ordered to pay £85 court costs.

Speaking after the case, Mr Meggs suggested the punishment was not harsh enough, explaining the effect it has had on his wife’s business.

He said: “I thought she had a bit of an attitude with the magistrates if I’m honest. I don’t think she showed any remorse.

“Even when she apologised she shrugged her shoulders.

“We were a bit disappointed, we were hoping for something a bit stronger, but justice was done.

“We are a small business and we run on trust. We can’t afford to carry out background checks.

“She came round for my wife’s birthday and even gave her money.

“My daughter was going round to her home for dinner and vice versa, we all became really close.

“The knock-on effect for the business has been huge. As well as the emotional hurt, we are a member of staff short so we are not making as much money as we could. At the moment we are closing at lunchtimes.”