Emma Price, 38, of Sunshine Bay Road, pleaded guilty to 21 counts of stealing property as a clerk/servant, and one count of dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception, during her Monday appearance in Batemans Bay Local Court.

Police said the mother of one, and former manager of Travel Team Batemans Bay, made more than 20 refunds to her personal bank account from the business’ EFTPOS terminal between April 30, 2015 and May 31, 2016. The total transferred was more than $8160.

Police said Price made an additional transfer of $730 from a client’s credit card in July 2016 to cover her personal debt with the business.

In an interview with police on January 19, 2017, Price stated she was having financial difficulties and wanted to refund the stolen funds prior to police involvement, but was too embarrassed.

Defence solicitor Adam Sumbak said Price, who moved to Batemans Bay in 2010, was experiencing significant financial stress and severe homesickness at the time of offending.

Mr Sumbak said the offences were committed “as a matter of need, rather than greed”.

He said Price had made efforts to pay back the funds with the help of her mother.

Magistrate Doug Dick labelled the case as a “gross breach of trust”.

“It’s not easy addressing someone who, up until now, was a person of good character,” Mr Dick said.

“There is no doubt you are deeply ashamed of what you have done.

“I understand there was an element of desperation… when you’re struggling with money, there is a tendency to give into temptation.”

Mr Dick urged Price to consider the victims in the matter.

“There was nearly $9000 taken from those people … they’re in a business for a reason.”

Price was fined $4400 and ordered to perform 300 hours of community service.

She was ordered to pay her former employer $8891.23 in compensation.