A PUB manager faked a mugging and claimed £3,000 in takings had been stolen.

But a court was told that Victoria Abernethy had hidden the money in a nearby bush for an accomplice to pick up later.

Police became suspicious and she admitted she had taken the cash when questioned.

Appearing before Bolton Crown Court, Abernethy, aged 19, of Tetbury Drive, Breightmet, admitted theft.

The court heard Abernethy, manager at The Feathers pub in Breightmet Fold Drive, took £2,646 in takings and £350 change in a bag from the pub last September.

She went outside and hid the bag in bushes and then went back to the pub and claimed she had been mugged.

Police interviewed her and became aware of inconsistencies in her story and questioned her closely.

Eventually she confessed and took police to the bush where the money was recovered.

Brian Mckenna, defending, said Abernethy had worked at the pub for three years collecting glasses and then working behind the bar.

The pub manager had gone on holiday and failed to return and his replacement left after just six days suffering from stress. The brewery asked Abernethy to become pub manager and take responsibility for several staff.

After a car accident she was off sick and the brewery told her that if she couldn't find a replacement the pub would be closed and the staff would lose their jobs, the court was told.

The two staff she found to cover her job could not cope so she went back to work. Then she became pregnant and her relationship with the father of the child broke up.

Judge Bruce Macmillan said he gained no pleasure from sending her to custody but it was his duty to remind others in charge of money that they could not do the same as she had done. Abernethy was sent to a Young Offenders' Institution for three months.