A legal executive who stole nearly half a million pounds from her firm’s clients has been jailed for four years and nine months.
Leanne Harris wrote false cheques and moved money between clients’ accounts while working at Arscotts Solicitors in Hove between 2008 and 2010.
The frauds were described as a “major contributory factor” in the closure of the firm, with the loss of 30 jobs.
Harris, 25, of Gildredge in Whitesmith, near Lewes, admitted stealing £419,313 from five accounts at Arscotts, and £64,800 from a woman over whom she had power of attorney.
Hove Crown Court was told she took the money to fund a "frivolous and extravagant spending spree".
She was taken on by Arscotts in April 2007 to look after wills and probate work for the firm.
Anthony Cox, prosecuting, said that initially her work was impressive but it became clear that she appeared to have a number of personality clashes with members of staff and her standard of work began to dip.
She resigned in January 2009 but continued to work for the firm as a consultant, which involved her taking clients' files home to work on and then giving them back.
But her consultancy agreement was terminated in January 2010 following complaints from clients who were having difficulty getting hold of her.
When the firm audited her files in July that year, they found funds were missing from a number of estates.
Mr Cox said: "This was a persistent course of dishonesty over a long period of time.
"The firm, not long after, went into administration, resulting in the loss of some 30 jobs. It's right to say that this was a major contributory factor.”
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