In early 2014, an internal fraud report found disproportionately high refunds being paid out, which dovetailed with shifts when Tiongson was acting as manager.

She admitted she had her hand in the till during a disciplinary hearing and was duly dismissed.

Her defence counsel was also "somewhat surprised" to see the franchise owner at McDonalds was keen for her to avoid a custodial sentence.

Judge Ronayne, however, did not share their sympathy.

"I'm not sure she had any belief she was entitled to take the money. On the contrary, I think she knew perfectly well she shouldn't take it," he said.

"The motivation for this was a combination of misplaced need but also some greed. I can't ignore the comments to the probation officer that having got away with it, it simply became a habit."