Debt-ridden mother-to-be Christine Buckingham, 41, of Pevensey Road, St Leonards, spent the cash on shopping trips, eating out, holidays and haircuts.

Brighton Crown Court heard how she collected arrears from tenants on behalf of Wealden District Council but pocketed the money herself.

The court heard that one tenant was threatened with eviction as a result of the missing payments, causing "considerable stress and anxiety".

Buckingham was arrested after the council launched an internal investigation in October 2007, following a dispute over payments from a tenant.

Prosecutor Ruth Field told the court Buckingham stole from her employer between March 31, 2006, and September 3 last year.

She said: "She worked as a rent arrears officer for the council for seven years and her duty was to collect payments from tenants who were very much behind in their rent.

"She would go to their homes and issue ad hoc receipts on compliment slips but was pocketing the cash.

"On occasions she would pay a lesser sum than that which was seized from various tenants, back to the council. On other occasions she would pocket the lot.

"During a search of her flat it was discovered that she was quiet heavily in debt with final demand notices from bailiffs to the tune of £1,500.

"There was also a large quantity of council paperwork and receipts from tenants who had paid money to the council but in fact had paid money to the defendant.

"Statements obtained from her bank over the last seven years showed various suspicious withdrawals and payments.

"They revealed that there had been excessive spending and evidence of a lavish lifestyle - shopping trips, eating out, haircuts and holidays.

"It was clear that she had tried to continue with this lavish lifestyle on her wages but her income was not enough to sustain it.

"She was a trusted employee and had a high degree of autonomy doing the job on her own."

Buckingham, admitted 11 counts of theft and asked for five similar offences to be taken into account totalling £5,229.

The court heard that Buckingham, who is due to give birth next month, has no previous convictions.

The court was also told that she had paid back £1,000 and had waived her right to £2,243 owed to her in wages and pension payments.

Defending, Rebecca Wood said: "It was money taken as and when she needed it to sustain her lifestyle. She was taking money dishonestly but intended to borrow it then pay it back.

"She was embarrassed about seeking help because of the position she was in. The irony is that she was struggling with her own rent arrears."
Recorder Anthony Chinn, QC, gave Buckingham a nine-month jail sentence suspended for two years.

He also ordered her to do 100 hours' unpaid work and pay £1,200 in compensation.

A Wealden District Council spokesman said Buckingham had been sacked from her job following an un-related disciplinary matter.