An administrator has been sent to prison after stealing nearly £70,000 from a small company.

Carla Loftus, 33, was part of a five-strong workforce at the Maidstone-based Southern Glass and abused her trusted position by systematically stealing.

Loftus, of Reams Way, Kemsley looked stunned as the judge told her he would not suspend the 28-month jail sentence after she admitted the thefts.

Maidstone Crown Court heard how she stole from the company and repeatedly paid money into her own bank account - leaving it struggling financially.

Prosecutor Letitia Egan said Loftus concealed 60 payments by claiming they were to buy equipment.

The judge said the amounts she stole had increased "no doubt each time you got away with it."

Recorder Edward Butler said there "remains strong suspicion" she had covered up the thieving by remotely logging onto the company's computers and deleting six months of accounts.

"What is clear is that the offences had a significant impact on the company and its staff, who were devastated by your betrayal," he said.

He also praised company boss David Coomer - who was expecting to enjoy the "twilight of a successful career" and said he had

shown spirit and determination.

The court heard when she was arrested last year Loftus said she believed the amount she had taken was £20,000.

She told investigators she had been in a "toxic" and abusive relationship with a lover who had gambled.

Kieran Brand, defending, said Loftus' former lover had "an entrenched gambling addiction"

The judge added: "But you said he had not forced you to do this. You said at the time of the interview you had kicked out your partner.

"But it is noteworthy that the thieving still continued."

He said he had sympathy for those facing domestic abuse but that had not caused her to steal.

David Coomber, 61, who has owned Southern Glass Maidstone for 39 years said: “I think justice has been served and I’m glad the judge has seen through her lies and put her behind bars.

“I’m still feeling the effects of her deceit and still have to pay off £560 a week for two years.

“It’s definitely a set back for us, and isn’t what I was hoping to be doing towards the end of my career with a small business, but we’re capable of doing it.

“Carla showed no remorse at all. Not an apology. Nothing. But with the deceit she showed her morals are clearly very low so I can’t expect more.

“I’m glad the judge saw through her lies and came to that conclusion. Even though I’m happy to see her jailed I still feel sorry for her for some reason.”