A Bradford career woman was today in prison after swindling more than £230,000 out of her employer in a desperate attempt to save her marriage.

Abbey National employee Claire Pearson was jailed yesterday after her two-year "edifice of deceit" came crashing down.

Bradford Crown Court heard the 27-year-old, of Goosedale Court, Holme Village, Bradford, splashed out on a luxury holiday and a brand new house to overcome problems with husband Neil.

And it was revealed she even hoodwinked Mr Pearson and told him she was raking in £50,000 a year - £30,000 more than her true salary.

The court was told Pearson, who pleaded guilty to nine counts of theft after stealing £233,987.95, rose through the ranks to the post of team manager in the bank's household insurance claims section after joining in 1995.

Her barrister Robin Mairs said Pearson came from a modest, hard-working family.

He revealed there were problems in her marriage and Pearson's depression led to desperation to keep her husband.

"She got into the habit of buying him presents. Small things at first, then larger and larger ones in the hope that would keep the marriage happy," said Mr Mairs.

"The presents got larger, her life began to spiral out of control and she began to steal."

Today Mr Pearson said he did not have chance to say goodbye to his wife before she started her 15-month sentence.

"I don't want to talk about it, I'm too upset," he said, speaking from his home which will have to be sold to repay the bank.

Prosecutor Michael Wrigglesworth revealed how Pearson, who had no previous convictions, used her position of responsibility and trust to steal the huge hoard and then cover her tracks.

She also claimed that she was getting bonuses and shares to boost her income.

Pearson used the cash to pay for a skiing holiday abroad, a £4,000 Aprilla motorbike for her husband, a new silver Peugeot 206 coupe, which was today on the drive of their new detached house.

Mr Wrigglesworth said their £89,000 home was paid for in cash, but her husband was told that she was able to get a staff loan to help buy it.

As part of her responsibilities, Pearson was able to authorise emergency payments for insurance claims and other staff did not question her because of her trusted position.

The money obtained by submitting false claims for payment was then put into the accounts of herself or her husband.

But he was unaware of what was happening because she made sure he did not see any bank statements.

The court heard that on one occasion a single payment could be as high as £35,000.

Pearson's activities only came to light by chance in February last year when she was off sick and there was a query relating to a payment.

To cover her tracks Pearson authorised payments from another section of the bank, but because she was away from work she was not able to do that.

"She wasn't in the right place at the right time," said Mr Wrigglesworth.

An inquiry was immediately launched which showed that at least £75,000 had been stolen, but Pearson handed herself in to police within 48 days and confessed.

She was dismissed from her post and civil proceedings were begun to freeze her assets so that some of the stolen money could be recovered.

The house will now be sold, but there will still be a shortfall of about £80,000.

Pearson pleaded guilty to nine charges of theft, covering the period between March 2000 and February last year, and asked for 11 similar matters to be taken into consideration.

Barrister Mr Mairs said Pearson deserved credit for her co-operation with the police and it should also be taken into account that she had had the matter hanging over her for the last 13 months.

"What has this offence yielded her?" he asked.

"Nothing - debt for years to come, the house will be sold, the car will be sold, that will leave a shortfall of £80,000.

"She had a very good relationship with her work colleagues, that has gone. The entire social framework she had 14 months ago has been ripped asunder."

Mr Mairs said Pearson's marriage was in fact now stronger than before.

Recorder Susan Crosbie said it seem almost unbelievable that someone so intelligent and so trusted should breach all the trust her employers had placed in her.

Jailing Pearson, she told her: "I accept that prison for you is going to have a much graver impact than a lot of other people."