AN ‘exemplary’ employee stole £225,000 from her boss and close friend over five years, a jury heard.

Preston Crown Court heard June Elizabeth Watson fleeced £211,270 from ABN Financial LTD and £13,915 from ABN Property Partnerships in Accrington.

Prosecutor Peter Barr said after the 49-year-old was arrested officers found several luxury items at her house, including a Rolex watch, handbags and jewellery.

Mr Barr said the company had put complete trust in the 49-year-old, whose job title was financial advisor, but who had more of a secretarial role with the firm.

The court heard Yvonne Cannings, who owned the companies, and Watson became close friends and Mrs Cannings had so much trust for her she did not examine company bank statements in great detail.

Mr Barr said Watson was described as having ‘sole responsibility for all financial aspects of the business.’

He said: “This is a case of serious breach of trust in the defendant by an employee from their employer.

“The total amount this defendant, June Watson, stole from her employer was over £225,000.

“She was systematically stealing money from company bank accounts over a five-year period.

“June was stealing from two companies.”

The thefts were allegedly carried out between February 2011 and June 2016.

In June 2016, Mrs Cannings and the company’s bank manager had a meeting due to a company account being “significantly and persistently” overdrawn.

The court heard bank statements showed there were withdrawals using company cash cards.

The jury was told Watson had been an exemplary employee who had started at the firm in 2009.

Mr Barr said only Watson and Mrs Cannings knew where the company cash cards were kept and knew the cards’ PINs.

Mr Barr said Mrs Cannings did not make any of those withdrawals or authorise them.

The court heard Mrs Cannings went to see Watson the next day, who had called in sick the day before, to challenge her over what she believed Watson was doing.

Mr Barr said: “When challenged June admitted stealing the sum of £60,000 in cash withdrawals.

“Yvonne said June showed no remorse. She agreed to sign over part of her house and hand in the keys to her car and hand over money she had been saving for her wedding.”

The court heard in the following days Watson was arrested.

The court heard Watson, who earned £16,000 a year and was given a £250 a month for expenses, claimed it was Mrs Cannings and other directors who were the ones who were taking the money from the company.

Watson, of Robinson Street, Colne, denies two counts of theft.

(Proceeding)