A Romanian woman who stole thousands from the Hounslow club she managed, claimed it all went to her former husband, a British man, who she alleged threatened her over a large debt.

Christina Sima, now living in Hassellorn Road, Birmingham, admitted one charge of stealing £19,172 from Reilly's Snooker Club in Hounslow between April 30 and July 30 last year, and was jailed for seven months.

Prosecutor Paola Wilson told the court that Ms Sima joined Reilly's some years ago and rose to become its manager.

"It was her job to take the takings to the bank. She took them, but simply did not pay them in," said her counsel.

After it was discovered that a large amount of money had disappeared, the defendant was spoken to and admitted what she had done but she didn't appear to be aware of the figure.

Ms Wilson continued: "She claimed her father would meet the operations manager at Heathrow Airport and reimburse the money. But the operations manager went to the police.

"She told the police she did not realise how much money had been taken.

"She had been married to a 58-year-old British man and that marriage had been annulled and he had spent a lot of money - £164,000."

Defending solicitor Alured Darlington said she had made immediate admissions both to the police and in court and "she has expressed great and genuine remorse".

He said: "There was a degree of pressure. She has been in this country for 10 years and has not been involved in any other criminal conduct."

Jailing her, Judge Sam Kathuda said "The court takes a very serious view of offences of this nature, especially by somebody like you who held the position of manager. You were responsible for the finances of the club and club's like this depend on such finance.

"This was not an isolated incident but a course of criminal conduct carried out by you over a period of three months. It was not a trivial amount.

"You used a position of trust to steal and there is only one factor to be considered and that is the length of the sentence.

"There may have been pressure put on you but this is no excuse for your conduct. You could have gone to the police.".