A St James woman who stole more than $400,000 from her employer has been granted bail, even as the court prepares to hand down her sentence later this month.

Carlene Stephens, who once held a position of trust as a cashier at a Supreme Ventures outlet, appeared before parish court judge Natiesha Fairclough-Hylton on Wednesday and she pleaded guilty to larceny as a servant.

The court heard that the thefts unfolded in three calculated strikes on May 19, June 11, and June 20, during which Stephens siphoned off a total of $422,085 from the business. Each time the cash disappeared without explanation, setting off alarm bells among management.

But rather than immediately involving the police, the business initially opted for discretion. In an effort to resolve the matter quietly, Stephens was offered a chance to make restitution through a private arrangement. However, despite multiple attempts to make amends, she failed to honour the agreement — and the cash continued to vanish, the court was told.

With their patience exhausted and the losses mounting, the matter was formally reported to the police. Stephens was subsequently arrested and charged.

On Wednesday, judge Fairclough-Hylton, while acknowledging the gravity of the offence, exercised judicial discretion and granted Stephens bail in the sum of $300,000, with up to three sureties. The bail also comes with strict reporting conditions.

Stephens is scheduled to return to court for sentencing on July 30.