Machias - A woman who pleaded guilty to stealing $36,000 from Harrington was in court on Friday to be sentenced.

51-year-old Kathy Bickford of Harrington admitted to taking the money while she was working as town clerk back in 2006.

In 2010, a different prosecutor and defense attorney decided on a plea agreement.

It called for six-months in prison providing Bickford could pay $44,000 in restitution within the year. But she wasn't able to pay any restitution, which, according to the agreement, meant three years behind bars.

On Friday, Bickford pleaded for a lesser sentence so that she could continue working at her current job.

"Once I lose my job, I couldn't get hired again, I love what I do and I apologize to the town for what I've done, but I'm more than willing to pay it back," said Bickford.

Bickford expressed in court that she didn't fully understand the plea agreement when it was made.

The judge decided to push sentencing back for a month so Bickford could have more time to consider withdrawing her plea.

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