A MOTHER is more than £400 poorer today after forging her next-door-neighbour's giro cheques and taking some of her property while she was in hospital.

A MOTHER is more than £400 poorer today after forging her next-door-neighbour's giro cheques and taking some of her property while she was in hospital.

Sky Wallis pleaded guilty to possession of criminal property and forgery at Ipswich Crown Court after her friend, Lauren Morgan, discovered Wallis had cashed her cheques between March and April of last year.

Christine Hayes, prosecuting, said that when Ms Morgan confronted her Wallis apologised and said she would repay the money.

But Ms Morgan then discovered some flat-packed furniture belonging to her had been taken.

Wallis admitted taking some of it but said she had found it between her home and Ms Morgan's and so had taken it inside for safe keeping.

Ms Hayes also told the court that Wallis, 34, had later said a stranger had demanded she take the giro cheques to the Post Office to cash them.

But Ms Hayes added: “She wasn't able to explain why she hadn't told the police that.”

Andrew Oliver, mitigating, said: “The offences have now put a stain on her good character.

“She had acted in a foolish way and has destroyed her friendship with her next-door-neighbour.”

He said Wallis, who lives in Combs Wood Drive, Stowmarket, initially had good intentions which turned bad.

He told the court that Wallis was in debt “to the tune of about £1,000” and that she had faced personal problems recently.

Wallis was given a curfew order meaning she must stay in her home between 8pm and 6am from April 25 and May 30, and was order to pay compensation to Ms Morgan of £442.60.

N What do you think of Wallis' sentence? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk