A WOMAN trapped in an abusive relationship with a drug addict was driven to steal £23,000 from her employer, Bradford Crown Court heard on Friday.

Siobhan Collier was an honest and hard-working member of the team at Carnaud Metal Box Company in Shipley until the man began stealing her money, leaving her unable to pay for food and household bills.

Collier, 31, of Elmwood Drive in Keighley, pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of position by stealing £23,000 from the firm during several months last year.

She was sentenced to a 12-month community order with a 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement by the Recorder of Bradford, Judge Roger Thomas QC, who told her: “It is unfortunate to see you in the dock of the crown court.”

Prosecutor, Nick Askins, said Collier had worked for the company for six years.

She was a purchase ledger supervisor with access to the company cheque book.

Early in 2016, Collier told her line manager she was in financial difficulty as a result of having to pay bills for her elderly parents.

The firm lent her £500 but her attendance became erratic, with numerous absences.

In October, a check of the company accounts revealed £23,000 was missing.

Mr Askins said Collier had stolen the money by making 14 company cheques out to herself.

“Discovery of the fraud and the identity of the perpetrator appear always to have been likely,” he told the court.

Collier was arrested in October and went on to admit the fraud.

She said her partner had a substantial cocaine debt and had stolen from her.

She was remorseful and apologetic.

Collier wept as Judge Thomas said the police were called to the home she then shared with the unnamed cocaine user four times because he was physically abusing her.

Collier had no previous convictions and had since broken free from her abuser.

“You have got shut of him,” Judge Thomas said.