A WOMAN accused of stealing almost £18,000 in cash from her employer over an 18-month period has been returned for trial later this year.

Jennifer Patricia McVitty (48), of Ely Gardens, Coles Hill, Enniskillen, is charged with 11 counts of stealing from Peter McBride, the owner of the McBride Retail Group.

She is alleged to have stolen cash to the total value of £17,961.86, belonging to Mr McBride, on dates between, and including, August 1, 2011 and January 7, 2013.

McVitty appeared before Fermanagh Magistrates Court on Monday for a preliminary enquiry – the last stage in the legal process before a case involving indictable offences is transferred to a higher court.

A Public Prosecution Service (PPS) representative told the court that, based on the papers submitted, the defendant had a case to answer.

In response, her solicitor, Bernard Corrigan, said that it was not formally conceded by the defence that there was a case to answer, but added that he had no contrary submissions to make at this stage in proceedings.

District judge, Nigel Broderick, observed that he was satisfied that the defendant had a case to answer.

McVitty then declined to answer the charges at this stage. She also declined to give evidence herself, call any witnesses or tender any written statements of a witness.

The judge released the defendant on her own bail of £500 for arraignment before Dungannon Crown Court on Thursday, September 17.

After legal aid was granted in respect of the committal hearing, her solicitor, Mr Corrigan, formally came off-record in the case.

The McBride Retail Group is one of Northern Ireland’s largest independent Spar retailers. It has 10 convenience stores located throughout the province, and also operates two off-licences in Omagh.