Crime proceeds inquiries are ongoing to see how much can be recovered from a convicted company senior cashier.

Newcastle Crown Court heard that Emma Adamson made the illicit payments to herself about once a month for increasingly larger amounts over a five-year period while working for construction company USL Sealant Group.

The court was told the married mother began helping herself to the money within a year of starting at the Washington-based company, in 2015.

Because of her position she had access to all company accounts and by the time her offending came to light, after one transaction was flagged as “suspicious” by one of the banks involved and inquiries began, she had illegally transferred more than £138,000.

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When confronted she came clean and the now 45-year-old defendant, of Baltimore Avenue, Town End Farm, Sunderland, went on to admit theft.

The court heard the company’s accounting system has since been transferred abroad, a move hastened by her actions, with the loss of three staff members.

Although character references were presented to the court, and her remorse was expressed by her counsel, Jamie Adams, who said she had not been living a luxury lifestyle as a result of her dishonesty, Judge Edward Bindloss imposed a 20-month prison sentence, in November.

Crime proceeds proceedings were put in place to see how much money could be confiscated from Adamson to help compensate USL.

Following those initial inquiries Neil Pallister, for the Crown, said it was now estimated that the defendant benefitted from her criminal activities to the tune of £151,792.

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But the value of her assets is said to be limited to her equitable interest in the family home, and the courtwas tolkd her husband has now sought legal advice to represent his interests in the proceedings.

Mr Adams said he (Adamson's husband) is expected to seek valuations on the property and he (Mr Adams) did not believe the Crown would be able to force the sale of the property in the near future.

Judge Bindloss, therefore, adjourned the crime proceeds hearing until Thursday March 16.