An accounts manager for a Suffolk technology company who stole £120,000 to fund a “lavish” lifestyle beyond her means will be spending Christmas in prison after being jailed for 16 months.

Julie Palmer had worked for UTEL Ltd, of Wolves Lane, Hadleigh, for eight years and was a trusted employee, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

Suspicions were aroused after a number of financial irregularities were noticed and it was subsequently discovered she had stolen £120,000.

“It was funding a more lavish lifestyle than honest enterprise afforded her,” said Mark Lakin, prosecuting.

He said in addition to the financial loss suffered by her employers they had been caused additional stress after Palmer initially accused the company of financial malpractice.

Palmer, 38, of Mallard Way, Great Cornard, admitted theft of money between November 2010 and June this year.

Sentencing Palmer, who has no previous convictions, Judge John Devaux said she had written a number of cheques to herself and others to improve the lifestyle of her and her family and had abused the trust her employers had placed in her over a period of more than two years.

A proceeds of crime hearing will take place next year.

Richard Potts, for Palmer, said her fall from grace as a result of her offending had been “enormous” and had resulted in several suicide attempts.

He said Palmer accepted she had taken the money and was the author of her own misfortune.