An au pair who stole from her employer and sold items on eBay said she planned to hand back the haul stashed in her room – and nicked clothes so she could dress well.

Romanian Carmen Nicoletta Daniliuc, 26, arrived in the country on September 5 and started work as an au pair for Jennifer Dawson on Chorley Hall Lane in Alderley Edge.

She was also a cleaner for Mrs Dawson’s friend Lucy Perkins.

When Mrs Dawson moved house at the end of September she had items packed in a box in her bedroom and thought it was strange when Daniliuc started to unpack them.

She noticed Daniliuc wearing make-up which Mrs Dawson had bought from Spain and that cigarettes went missing.

On December 8 Mrs Dawson became suspicious when she found a bottle of wine and some of her own underwear in her employee’s room. Prosecuting, Beverley Dobson told Macclesfield magistrates’ court that Mrs Dawson found more of her things in the defendant’s suitcase.

She called Mrs Perkins and they confronted Daniliuc to find items including DVDs, clothing, cosmetics, a gent’s wallet and candles. They asked if she had sold items on eBay and her account showed she sold a purse and a Montblanc pen given to Mrs Dawson as a gift.

Mrs Perkins said she felt ‘violated and disgusted’ after finding Daniliuc had stolen from her too.

She found stolen clothing at her friend's house and the defendant was selling one of her dresses worth £800 on eBay.

She also tried to sell a pair of shoes.

The defendant admitted taking the items to use but said she planned to give them back.

She stole items worth £1,912 from Jennifer Dawson and £2,716 from Lucy Perkins

Defending, Roger Badman said:  "In the main she has hoarded property and wanted to dress well.

"Mrs Dawson's property didn't leave the house.

"Carmen accepts she's been extremely stupid and regrets the offending.

"She's lost her employment and accommodation and let herself down hugely, she's distraught.

"Two nights in custody and two at Styal Prison have been a shock to the system."

The chairman of the bench said:  "In the main it wasn't your intention to permanently deprive the women of the property.

"We're sentencing on the basis of items you tried to sell on eBay.

"You've shown remorse and co-operated with police."

Daniliuc was fined £400 to be paid within 24 hours.