Assets worth over £32,000 have been confiscated from an accounts clerk who stole more than £100,000 from her South Lincolnshire employers
Tina Crowson funded an extravagant lifestyle including a BMW sports car, a personal trainer and a £150-a-week hairdo out of money she stole from Bourne-based Peterborough Game Company.
The 47-year-old “shopaholic” was jailed for 30 months in January 2010 after admitting the theft of £128,060 between February 28, 2007, and August 1, 2008.
She also admitted obtaining her employment by deception as a result of submitting a false CV.
Crowson, who was living in Livermore Green, Werrington, Peterborough at the time of her arrest, claimed she became addicted to shopping while suffering from depression.
She was ordered to hand over her available assets after a judge ruled her benefit from her crimes was £250,389.
They included the BMW 330i with personalised number plates which was paid for in cash by Crowson from money she stole.
Jewellery, two chandeliers and furniture were also to be seized along with almost £4,000 cash.
Crowson’s property was initially expected to fetch just over £27,000 but a proceeds of crime hearing at Lincoln Crown Court was told on Tuesday a figure of £32,148 had been raised from her available assets.
Mark Van der Zwart, prosecuting, told the hearing: “The benefit in this case was just over £250,000 and her original available assets were £27,771.
“Items were seized from her by the police for sale to realise her available assets. The sale of those items resulted in a greater amount than was expected.”
Crowson, who has completed her prison sentence, was allowed to sit behind her solicitor during the hearing.
Chris Milligan, defending, said the figure raised by the police was accepted by his client.
“We trust the figure,” Mr Milligan told the court. “Miss Crowson does not have to make any payment as the money is already in the hands of the police.”
Judge Michael Heath told Crowson he was making a confiscation order in the sum of £32,148 relating to her property.