Police investigating the theft of a £50 gift voucher from a wedding reception arrived at a hotel employee's home to find thousands of pounds in notes and coins stuffed in bags, a court heard yesterday.

Assistant manager Kara Kennedy, 30, admitted stealing £50,000 from the owners of the Pullman Lodge Hotel, Sunderland, where she was considered a hard worker and trusted employee.

Her barrister, Brian Mark, told Newcastle Crown Court she was a hoarder who had not spent the cash, but kept it in order to feel secure.

Kennedy earned up to £13,000 after being promoted from the position of barmaid by the owners, Derrick and Pauline Hardy.

She had access to gaming machines, tills and safes and stole hundreds of pounds every month over more than three years, the court heard.

David McGonigal, prosecuting, said the hotel was a popular venue for wedding receptions. Suspicions were aroused when gifts went missing, and Mr Hardy discovered a card and a £50 store voucher, addressed to newlyweds, in Kennedy's handbag in June 2000.

When police arrived at her home in Harperley Drive, Sunderland, they found £58,608 in coins and notes stuffed into plastic bags, envelopes and a handbag.

Kennedy held a building society account in May 2000 containing a further £37,000.

At Durham Crown Court last month, Kennedy admitted stealing £50,000 which she was yesterday ordered to repay, plus more than £9,000 in interest.

Judge Tony Lancaster said a civil hearing could be necessary to determine the amount she must repay. He declined to hear further evidence yesterday.

Mr Mark said his client had hoarded the money because of a compulsive obsessive disorder.