A KIND manager was taken advantage of as a thief stole cash from her shop after she gave him a free coffee.

A homeless man stole £300 after distracting the Betfred manager in Newland Street, Witham.

Manager Marie Morarji, who has worked at the shop for three years, had been on cleaning duty from 7.30am on May 30.

She was vacuuming when she noticed the homeless man outside. When she opened the betting shop at 8am he came inside and asked for a cup of coffee.

The manager obliged and went to put the vacuum away in cupboard behind the counter, and in that time the dishevelled man reached across and stole the petty cash.

Normally the money is kept in a drawer behind the counter, but as the manager was covering so many jobs at once, the cash had been left within reach.

She said: “I have seen the guy, who is in his fifties, about four or five times before.

“I took pity on him because it was early in the morning and he just asked nicely if he could have a cup of coffee whilst I was cleaning up. I said I would, as we have coffee on the counter.

“I turned to put the vacuum cleaner away and in that 10 seconds he leant across and took the petty cash. I’m so angry about it all because I was just being kind to him and that was how he repaid me.”

A Betfred spokesman said it was a shame the manager’s kindness had been repaid in such a despicable way. Residents refer to her as “kind Marie” as she offers free sweets to customers.

Mrs Morarji said: “In this shop I always make sure there is a bowl of sweets for customers and I get them out of my own pocket.”

It was one of two incidents to take place in the same week. Farmfoods in Newland Street was also targeted after a rock was thrown through the front window at 7pm on Sunday.

Farmfoods was contacted but did not wish to comment further. Anyone with information should contact Braintree Police on 101.