MANAGEMENT at a Ribble Valley psychiatric hospital installed covert closed circuit TV after a spate of thefts.
Blackburn magistrates heard that shortly afterwards, cleaner Andrea Smith was caught on film stealing a mobile phone which had been left on a shelf in an office in Kemple View, Langho.
Smith, 24, of Taylor Close, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to theft.
She was given a community rehabilitation order for 12 months and ordered to pay £50 compensation and £75 costs,
The court heard that Smith told police she had been short of money after Christmas and had sold the phone for £20.
Louise Voce, defending, said Smith was full of remorse for what had been an offence totally out of character.
"She is anxious to make it clear that she had nothing to do with the previous thefts," said Miss Voce.
"She wants to apologise to her former employers and she is anxious to pay compensation."
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