A WOMAN who stole £40,910 while working at Zurich Financial Services has had her case committed to Swindon Crown Court for sentence.

Tracey Woodfield, 27, of Cricklade Road, worked in the pensions department and obtained the money by writing 25 cheques to herself.

Woodfield admitted five charges of theft and asked for 20 other offences to be taken into consideration at Swindon Magistrates Court.

She was granted unconditional bail and will be sentenced at Swindon Crown Court.

Lynne Henderson, prosecuting, said: "All the charges against the employee of Zurich Financial Services are a very serious breach of trust amounting to approximately £10,500. The other offences taken into consideration take the total to more than £40,000."

She said that the sentencing guidance for thefts of between £17,500 and £100,000 by an employee over a period of time was two to three years prison.

For two-and-a-half years it is believed Woodfield processed the cheques on a computer and had them delivered to her desk.

Fraud officers at Swindon police were called to investigate when the company contacted them in May.

Woodfield was dismissed on May 15. She was arrested on June 20 and charged 13 days later.

Christopher Smyth, defending, said: "I can see no other alternative than to commit the case to Crown Court."

Fay Ford, spokeswoman for Zurich Financial Services, said: "A Zurich employee has been dismissed for misappropriation of client funds. No clients have lost out as a result of the actions of this individual."

She said that the company was unable to comment further until the court proceedings are complete.

Mrs Ford added: "But I can confirm that we always look to protect the interests of our policy holders and shareholders. Stringent audit processes are in place to capture such cases as this one."