A CATERING manager at South Craven School stole £355 from the school to help settle her son's drugs debts in prison, heard magistrates.

Rebecca Smith, 49, who had worked at the school for 14 years, took the money between September 22 and October 5, in response to desperate and almost daily calls from her son, who was at the time serving a five year prison sentence.

She was one of three people to operate a hatch till at the school selling drinks and food to both pupils and staff, the Skipton court heard.

She was however the only person responsible for counting up the money before passing it on to another person for banking.

The suspicions of two other members of staff had been aroused after takings had remained the same even though prices had gone up and there had been an increase in pupil numbers, said prosecutor, Martin Butterworth.

She was then first questioned by the school before the police were brought in, he said.

Smith, a woman of previous good character, had since been dismissed by the school, he said.

Smith, of Whinfield Court, Skipton, who admitted theft by employee, had struggled at first to admit what she had done, keeping it from her husband until the day before appearing in court, the court heard.

John Mewies, in mitigation, said the couple had three children, including one at Cambridge University and a 26 year old son who had developed addictions to drugs, drink and gambling and who in 2013 was sent to prison for five years.

Mr Mewies said it was possibly the saddest case the magistrates would have had to deal with for some time and one that had led to catastrophic consequences for his client.

He said Smith, who had started at the school as a cook and had been promoted to catering manager, had not been able to tell her husband of 30 years what she had done or initially to admit it to police.

Together they had supported their son while he was in prison, but he had started telephoning her constantly with demands for money.

"He had incurred significant drug debts in prison and was being threatened with violence every day. He pleaded with her to to do her best to supply money for his debts to stop him from being assaulted. On one occasion when they had visited, there was evidence of an assault, " said Mr Mewies.

Smith was told by her son to put the money into the accounts of people she knew nothing about.

"She acted out of desperation to save her son from further humiliation and violence in prison, " he said.

As a result, she had been dismissed and was unable to claim any benefits, which had left the family in dire financial straits.

Magistrates sentenced Smith, of Whinfield Court, to a six month community order with up to ten rehabilitation activity requirement days. She will also have to pay £355 compensation and costs of £85. There was no order made for a surcharge.