A CHARITY worker who used the organisation's debit card to top-up her mobile phone was spared jail yesterday.

Laura Nichol, 28, of Tow Law, County Durham, had been working for Sightlines Initiative, an advocacy and training agency in Newcastle, for three years when she started taking the funds.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how Nichol, who was involved in the administration and financial management of the organisation, used the company card on five occasions to put a total of £105 worth of credit on her mobile phone.

She took another £300, using the same card, out of cash machines.

Nichol, of Helm Park Terrace, admitted seven offences of theft between March and October 2003.

The court heard how she was caught when she went off sick and the worker who took over her role noticed discrepancies.

Defence barrister Roger Moore said Nichol was paid £50 a day by the organisation, but had received little training.

He said: "She was not spending it on any luxuries.

"She fell foul of temptation and took it. This was a one-off."

Nichol has no previous convictions for dishonesty, but has appeared in court in the past for public order offences because of her involvement with the hunt saboteurs' movement.

Judge Richard Lowden said that while cases involving theft from employers and charities generally led to a prison sentence, it was not necessary in this case, particularly because of the sum of money involved.

Judge Lowden sentenced her to a 200-hour community punishment order and ordered her to pay £405 compensation to the organisation.