BOSSES of a Burger King store have defended their decision to sack a shift manager even though a court cleared her of burglary.

A spokesman for Oakmere Ltd, the franchisee of the Grimshaw Park Burger King in Blackburn, said they believed there was sufficient evidence to dismiss Sarah Francis for gross misconduct.

Sarah, 21, of Leech Street, Blackburn, was sacked from the £8,300 post last August on the suspicion of stealing £30 and a portion of fries.

Oakmere had reported Sarah to police, who charged her with burglary.

But after three preliminary hearings, the case collapsed at Burnley Crown Court on the first day of trial because the prosecution offered no evidence.

Judge David Pirie criticised the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and said the case should have never come to trial.

Sarah said she was angry after six months of "stress and uncertainty" and planned to take Oakmere to an industrial tribunal.

But an Oakmere spokesman said they believed the situation to be over because they had dismissed her.

He added: "Oakmere Ltd believes there was sufficient evidence to dismiss Sarah Francis on the grounds of gross misconduct."