A SECRETARY who stole from her West Berkshire employees has been told to pay more than £90,000 back.

Joanne Jordan fraudulently took money while working part-time at the Old Mill in Aldermaston.

Jordan, 43, of Sagecroft Road, Thatcham, who was jailed for one year and ten months on March 27, was ordered to pay back £91,627.55 at a confiscation hearing at Reading Crown Court on Monday, October 26.

Jordan pleaded guilty to one count of theft and a count of fraud by abuse of position at a hearing at the same court on February 12.

She was arrested in September last year and subsequently charged on December 7.

At the latest hearing Jordan was told the cash must be paid within three months or she could face 12 months improsonment and still have to pay it back.

It will be passed on as compensation to The Mill.

Financial Investigator, Jennifer Bailey of Thames Valley Police Economic Crime Unit, said: “Jordan was in a position of trust which she abused over a protracted period making a significant personal financial gain which severely impacted this small business. Despite admitting the offence last September and pleading guilty in February she has since made no voluntary restitution to The Old Mill.

“A Proceeds of Crime Act Restraint Order was imposed in April in order to preserve her assets so that the Confiscation Order can be satisfied, with or without her co-operation and the monies restored to the victims.”