A GAMBLING addict who stole nearly £80,000 from a law firm to fund her habit has been warned she could face being jailed.

Conveyancing assistant Suzanne Orton admitted four charges of theft from her employers Harold G Walker between April 29, 2004 and February 17, 2006, while her husband Kim was a partner in the company.

The 63-year-old from Gladstone Road East, Bournemouth, also pleaded guilty to four false accounting offences, involving falsifying transfer request documents, between February 4, 2005 and February 17, 2006.

Defending, Susan Evans told Bournemouth Crown Court that the proceeds of her client's crimes had been spent on her gambling addiction.

She added that Orton was receiving counselling from an addiction organisation and asked for a clinical psychologist's report before sentencing.

Ms Evans said Orton had "always led an extremely industrious life and all the money has been paid back", adding: "Her husband has had to resign from the firm and is facing disciplinary proceedings from the Law Society."

Adjourning sentencing, Judge Christopher Harvey Clark QC told Orton: "You have pleaded guilty to these offences and you know that they are very serious.

"I'm sure you have been advised about the probable outcome of these proceedings. I'm not going to make a final decision; the most likely outcome is an immediate prison sentence."

He granted Orton conditional bail but warned her that she would have to come back to court to "face the music".

Harold G Walker has offices in Bournemouth, Broadstone, Christchurch, Verwood and Wimborne. A company spokesman said: "In 2006 we identified discrepancies in some financial transactions being handled by Mrs Orton.

"We immediately called in the relevant authorities who took responsibility for the investigation.We also appointed forensic accountants to carry out a thorough, independent internal audit to ensure that all our records were in excellent order, which they confirmed.

"In addition, at our request, there is an ongoing investigation into Mr Orton by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. We are not permitted to comment on his case further until the SRA has reached their conclusion. We can confirm that Mr Orton resigned from the firm in 2006.

"We are pleased that these highly unusual circumstances have now been resolved and we have every confidence in our rigorous internal procedures. We also hope that Mrs Orton will take advantage of any support offered to help her overcome her problem."

Orton will be sentenced at Dorchester Crown Court in May.