A teenage mother attempted to commit a £4,200 fraud while working at an estate agent was yesterday ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid community work.

Alleyah Cottle, 18, of Gamuel Close, Walthamstow, pleaded guilty to fraud when she appeared at Thames Magistrates Court yesterday.

Prosecuting, Karen Phillips, told the court that, between March 12 and March 28 this year, Cottle paid company checks into her personal account.

The court heard how Cottle, who was an administrator for Walthamstow’s Winkworth estate agent, had also used the company credit card to pay for McDonalds meals and shopping at Budgens supermarket.

There were five cheques which Cottle paid into her account, but only one, for £700, was cleared by the bank.

Mitigating, Mr Hussain said: “She is only 18-years-old and in a difficult position.

"She has a young child of  three months and lives with her mother.

“It was not a very sophisticated and well-planned offence.

“Alleyah admits she has done wrong and because of this she is going to struggle to find employment of any kind.”

Judge Jane McIvor said: “You lost your job as this was a serious matter and a breach of trust with your employer, but I will take into account your age and guilty plea.”

Cottle was ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid community work within 12 months and pay back £700.