A "GREEDY" insurance company worker who stole promotional vouchers from her employers for sale on the eBay internet site has escaped being sent to prison.

Serene Claw, 24, a call centre worker at Liverpool Victoria, admitted theft and transferring criminal property.

Her co-defendant, Ryan Oliver, 23, of Belle Vue Road, Bournemouth, pleaded guilty to converting criminal property.

Prosecuting at Bournemouth Crown Court, Michael Mackey said Claw, of Surrey Road, Bournemouth, had helped herself to Caravan Club vouchers from an unlocked stationery cupboard. They were part of a credit card scheme which entitled holders to a free stay at Caravan Club sites.

Claw gave the vouchers to Oliver, who sold them on eBay, splitting the profits between them.

A Bournemouth customer contacted Liverpool Victoria after spotting the vouchers on sale on the internet site.

Police traced Oliver, who was arrested on July 11. Seventy-two vouchers were found at the sound and lighting technician's home and another was discovered in his car.

Claw came clean the next day, telling officers she had stolen two "wedges" of vouchers and passed them on to her former school friend because they were "easy money".

Defending both Claw and Oliver, Paul Hester said they had been nave. Claw had succumbed to temptation and "acted totally out of character", losing her job when the offences came to light.

In Oliver's defence, Mr Hester said Oliver had used his own name on eBay. "If this was a serious criminal exercise this was tantamount to stupidity," he added, stressing that Oliver had taken out a £5,265 loan to repay the losers.

Judge John Harrow, who said the offences were motivated "purely by temptation and greed", sentenced Claw and Oliver to six months' imprisonment, suspended for two years. They must also complete 180 hours of unpaid community work. He told Claw: "As an employee you committed a serious breach of trust."