AN accounts clerk left her job at a window company keeping a £2,880 customer's payment as a parting shot, a court has heard.

A jury found Alison Ebuware guilty of theft after a five-day trial at Durham Crown Court.

Earlier, the court heard that Ebuware, 41, failed to turn up at work with the Bishop Auckland Glazing Company the day after the payment was handed to her by the customer, last April.

Attempts to contact Ebuware proved unsuccessful.

She was arrested after the company informed police.

The court heard she had financial difficulties at the time and was struggling to keep up with mortgage payments, although the arrears were subsequently met by several sizeable payments.

Ebuware, who said she was loaned money by her sister, claimed she left her job as she was unhappy over a manager's attitude.

She claimed she handed an envelope containing the money to the manager shortly after receiving it from the customer.

Ebuware, of Moorside, Middlestone Moor, near Spennymoor, had denied theft.

Her barrister, Aisha Wadoodi, asked for sentence to be adjourned for reports.

"She's 41, and a lady of hitherto good character," added Miss Wadoodi.

Recorder Andrew Lees adjourned sentence to a date and court to be settled, next month.

Ebuware was released on bail.