A WOMAN stole £48,000 from her employer to fund her luxurious lifestyle and 'cure her insecurities'.

Rebecca Le-Clercq spent £1,000 a week for 12 months while stealing from her employer, River Aesthetics.

The 36-year-old was a practice manager at the cosmetic clinic in Albert Road, Bournemouth, and handled the business’ cash deposits.

However, between April 1, 2022, and March 31, 2023, the defendant deposited the cash into her own bank account.

Prosecutor Richard Tutt told Bournemouth Crown Court her crimes only came to light after the company accountant highlighted a cash short fall on March 24, 2023.

When confronted by medical director, Dr Victoria Manning, the defendant said the money was in a holding account because of an incorrect bank number but she would correct this the following Monday.

That day Dr Manning was informed by a staff member that Le-Clercq had left the building and had handed in her notice with immediate effect.

When invited to a meeting with Dr Manning and the company accountant, the defendant admitted everything.

Mitigating, Amber Athill, said the defendant struggled with imposter syndrome while working for a luxury company and surrounded by “beautiful women”.

Le-Clercq used the money to fund a lavish lifestyle including beauty treatments, cinema trips and holidays.

“She was able to have treatments the same as her colleagues,” said Ms Athill.

“She felt like she needed to be perfect for job.

“It was an addiction.”

The defendant said she was left in £10,000 of debt after her ex-husband physically, emotionally, financially and sexually used her before their divorce in 2018.

She added her offending began to repay her debts and improve her credit score so she could get a mortgage and give her two children a happy life.

Ms Athill said: “No one noticed the missing money.

“It was too easy.”

Judge Robert Pawson slammed the defendant saying she did not have a clue of the consequences of her actions and that she was living on “cloud cuckoo land”.

“You spent £1000 a week for a year and have nothing to show for it,” said Judge Pawson.

“Buying into a shallow consumer culture, attracted to spending money you did not earn on frivolities.”

He added she was “entirely selfish”, not prioritising her children and betraying those she worked with.

Le-Clercq, of Chesilbourne Grove, pleaded guilty to one count of theft by employee and was handed a 14-month sentence suspended for two years.

She was also given a three-month electric curfew, 120 hours of unpaid work, 15 rehabilitation activity days and 12 sessions of mental health treatment.