Five women employees at a Whitchurch store who misused customer discount coupons were given suspended prison sentences.

Three other women, who were part of the estimated £40,000 fraud, were given community orders.

Passing sentence Judge Anthony Lowe said none of the defendants had previous convictions, had all expressed remorse and shame brought on themselves and their families.

"The fact is that you have lost your good character borne from a complete atmosphere of greed and you allowed yourselves to be caught up in it, " he said.

Yazmin Moore, 27, Sally Smith, 49, Lana Kennedy, 22, Susan Broster, 59, and Mandy Moore, 49, were sentenced to 14 months in prison, suspended for two years.

Smith, Kennedy and Mandy Moore must also carry out 150 hours unpaid work.

Broster must attend 20 rehabilitation activity days and Yazmin Moore must complete 100 hours unpaid work.

Sophie Birch, 21, Michelle Carson, 43, and Louise Wyke, 39, were sentenced to 12-month community orders and must each complete 150 hours unpaid work.

They were all guilty of a conspiracy to commit fraud by abuse of position at the former Co-op store in Wrexham Road between January and December 2016.

Carson had denied the charge but was convicted by a jury following a brief trial last month, while all the others pleaded guilty.

The court heard the women all misused ‘swipe and win’ coupons which gave money off the total cost of goods and reductions on specific items.

Coupons were used repeatedly to reduce the cost of their own shopping bills.

Team leaders Yazmin Moore and Susan Broster, both of Wrexham Road, admitted serving themselves and colleagues, registering £9,644.25 and £8,926 respectively in fraudulent discounts, while Smith, another team leader, of Caldecott Crescent, was captured on CCTV using coupons, registering £2,299.29.

Kennedy, of Alkington Road, registered £1,574 for herself but Birch, a till operator, of Gilberts Lane, Coton, registered £1,018 and claimed she used for other members of staff.

Carson, of Wrexham Road, registered £1,010 registered on her till while Wyke, of Wem Road, Tilstock, registered £772 served to staff, while Mandy Moore, of Edward German Drive, registered £425.29.

Smith, who represented herself at court, said her husband has suffered two heart attacks due to the stress.

"I can’t believe we have found ourselves in this situation and I accept what has been said. I am truly sorry," she said.

Some of the defendants have resigned their jobs and the store has since been taken over by McColl's.

Applications under the Proceeds of Crime Act are to be considered in respect of all the defendants.