AN ACCOUNTANT must pay back all the money she got by defrauding a company for nearly two years, a judge has ordered at York Crown Court.

Self-employed Claire Louise Walker, 44, of North Duffield, near Selby, did the books for Centenq of Hessay Industrial Estate and made unauthorised transfers from its accounts to herself.

She admitted six charges of fraud by abuse of position and was sentenced to do 150 hours’ unpaid work.

The Recorder of York, Judge Stephen Ashurst, ordered her to pay £7,500 compensation to the company by February 8.

Her barrister Stephen Grattage said: “She is grateful to make recompense and has sold items so that she can repay £5,000 immediately”. The rest will be paid later.