A FORMER McColl’s worker accused of stealing almost £7,000 from the store has been given permission to have her case re-heard.

Pauline Fortune, of Bramley Lane, Trowbridge, failed to turn up for her trial at Swindon Magistrates’ Court earlier this month. The day before she called and emailed the court to tell them she was suffering from vomiting and diarrhoea.

The trial went ahead in her absence and she was convicted of a charge of theft by an employee. She was accused of stealing £6,865 over a single month in late 2018 from the Castle Place McColl’s by taking cash destined for the bank.

Yesterday morning, Fortune’s lawyer Paul Gilmartin applied for the case to be re-opened.

Addressing the magistrates directly, the 49-year-old woman said: “I want this case to go ahead because I have proof I’ve not done what I’m accused of. I wanted to go to court and put my side across because I have not done what I’m accused of.

“It’s only because I was poorly I wasn’t able to come in.

“I’m really, really, adamant I want to come in and have my case heard.”

The application was opposed by the Crown Prosecution Service but allowed by the magistrates.

She was granted unconditional bail and the trial listed for May 27 at Salisbury Magistrates’ Court.