A WOMAN who stole tens of thousands from her previous Kidderminster employer has been ordered to pay more than £94k in compensation.

Amanda Clarke, from Housman Way, Cleobury Mortimer, worked for Rowan Steels as a senior accounts manager for eight years before leaving suddenly in January 2019.

As part of her role, the 56-year-old had access to the company accounts at the firm and dealt with invoices, wages and payment of goods.

After the Clarke left the company, Rowan Steels noticed irregularities including money being transferred from the company bank accounts to Clarke personal accounts.

Clarke set up supplier payment records using the names of known suppliers to the business - but with her own personal bank account details.

Transactions shown on the Rowan Steels bank account indicate payments to the suppliers, however the funds were actually sent to accounts held by Clarke.

In August 2019, Clarke attended a voluntary interview at Ludlow police station and admitted taking the funds fraudulently and that the funds were used to pay debts and in part payment of expensive holidays.

Later in November 2019, Clarke indicated a guilty plea to theft from person of another between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2018 at Kidderminster Magistrates' Court.

In March last year, at Worcester Crown Court, Clarke was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment, suspended for 24 months, for theft from person in the period 1st January 2015 and 31 December 2018 in Kidderminster.

The sentence also included requirements to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work and to participate in a rehabilitation activity and woman’s programme.

Following this, West Mercia Police Economic Crime Unit started confiscation proceedings in order to recover assets for the victim.

On Wednesday (July 15 2021), at Worcester Crown Court, HHJ Tindal granted a confiscation order in the amount of £94,386.84, with an available amount of £19,548.72 to be paid immediately.

HHJ Tindal went on to make a further compensation order for Clarke to pay £100 per month to the victim until the remaining amount of the order is satisfied.

Detective Inspector Emma Wright, of West Mercia Police Economic Crime Unit said: "Following a successful criminal conviction, the financial investigator in this case has worked tirelessly to locate assets held by the defendant and ensure they are removed from her to compensate the victim.

"This case had a devastating financial impact on the local company concerned, who had a challenge to survive and continue to pay their staff.

"Clarke breached the position of trust she held within the company to steal funds from them for her own personal gain.

"This order will see the company receive an immediate amount of over £19K returned and Clarke will have to continue to make payments monthly, until the remaining £74K is fully repaid.

"This shows the power of the Proceeds of Crime Act and should serve as a warning to others that ultimately crime does not pay.”