A woman who refused to phone in sick for an Ipswich supermarket cashier was charged with theft from the shop. Susan Brooks, 40, of Morgan Drive had become friendly with Asda cashier Beverly Astley and would often phone in sick for her when Astley needed time off work, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

A woman who refused to phone in sick for an Ipswich supermarket cashier was charged with theft from the shop.

Susan Brooks, 40, of Morgan Drive had become friendly with Asda cashier Beverly Astley and would often phone in sick for her when Astley needed time off work, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

However Brooks decided she could no longer help the woman and told her she would not keep making the telephone calls.

The court heard that Brooks' boyfriend Michael Hewitt, 30, who lived with her had passed through the checkout operated by Astley and was charged £19.14 despite the fact that his shopping included a £45 bottle of champagne and a £30 pair of trainers.

Just two days later on October 12 last year, Brooks had been shopping with Hewitt but had left the store following an argument with Hewitt and he took the purchases through Astley's check out alone.

This time Hewitt was allegedly charged £14.67 for goods worth £220 including a DVD player. Hewitt and Brooks told the court Hewitt had never met Astley before and had not known about the women's friendship.

Astley, 41 of Downside Close and Hewitt have denied two charges of theft Brooks has denied one offence of theft.

The trial continues.