A WOMAN is facing jail time after stealing more than £7,000 from her place of work to fund a gambling habit.

Victoria Roberston was hauled before magistrates after she stole the money from Howdens Joinery in Barrow, where she worked as the assistant manager.

A court heard that the defendant could be facing a year behind bars after she pleaded guilty to the offence at South Cumbria Magistrates’ Court.

The 42-year-old was said to have taken various sums of money between January 10 2019 and July 29 2020, totalling £7115.12.

Prosecutor Peter Kelly said: “She was the assistant manager at this particular branch.

“Various amounts of money have been taken from the business.

“The highest amount was £3,500 on June 25 2020.

“In interview she admitted that she was responsible for stealing £7,000 of company funds.

“She admitted that she has gambling problems and used the money to fund her habit.

“She had been able to repay funds.”

Howdens, a trade retail chain that sells kitchen and joinery parts, has more than 700 branches in the UK and Europe, including in Ashburner Way in Barrow

“It’s a low level of harm - we are talking about about a substantial business here, a national business.”

Mr Kelly said Robertson, had committed a ‘breach of trust’.

The defendant, of Frome Road on Walney, was represented in court by Michael Graham.

Magistrates sent the case to crown court after being told the sentence could exceed their powers.

Robertson is now due to appear at Preston Crown Court, where she will be sentenced on September 18.