A WOMAN with a gambling problem stole more than £88,000 from her employer’s business and personal accounts after they started a relationship.

Susan Adams, 52, of Gray Street, Workington pleaded guilty to theft by employee and fraud by false representation when she appeared at Workington Magistrates’ Court today.

Adams stole a total of £88,719.86 from Robert Scott between April 6, 2017 and March 1, 2018 in Workington.

The court proceedings were briefly paused as the charges were read, and the defendant sat down and sobbed with her head in her hands.

“I’m sorry,” she said.

Pamela Fee, prosecuting, said Adams was employed by Robert Scott at the start of 2017.

Her role was to look after the business accounts which Mr Scott 'did not pay much attention to'.

Ms Fee said they started a relationship not long after working together. Things then “started going awry” in his personal bank account.

Adams admitted that she had stolen money from him, saying she had a gambling problem.

Ms Fee described the offending as a 'gross breach of trust', which involved Mr Scott’s personal and business accounts.

The defendant had no previous convictions.

David Martin, defending, said he agreed that the case should be sent to crown court for sentence.

Adams will be sentenced at Carlisle Crown Court on December 12. She was granted unconditional bail until her next court appearance.

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