A COUNTY Durham woman stole more than £52,000 from British Airways while working in their customer complaints call centre, a court heard.

Charlotte Syers set up fake lost baggage claims from customers for missing luggage and paid the refunds into her own bank account - the same one which was receiving her wage of more than £20,000.

The 27-year-old also took 40 fraudulent E-Vouchers for discounted flights, which are issued to customers if it is believed there is a genuine complaint, and sold them on eBay.

She spent the money on a holiday, an engagement party and other luxuries, Newcastle Crown Court was told.

The fraud only came to light when a customer mistakenly received an email relating to a refund or claim for lost baggage of just over £4,000.

Emma Dowling, prosecuting, said: "He had never made a claim for a refund and while his baggage did go missing it was returned to his home address.

"He alerted British Airways not only to the fact it was fraudulent claim but it was also within someone from the organisation because of the nature of the

details.

"Her unique reference number was used in relation to that claim.

"There was a further 13 fraudulent claims in relation to missing baggage in which the money was put directly into her bank account."

The court heard how she changed the address on one section but failed to do it on another section, which was why the customer was contacted directly.

Miss Dowling said: "She used the money to go on holiday and pay for an engagement party.

"She has used it for a more affluent life style. She's effectively trebled her salary during that time."

The court heard how the fake claims were made over a period of a year from April 15, 2014 until April 13, 2015, while she was working at the call centre in Newcastle.

The total amount Syers defrauded British Airways of is £52,678.81 - consisting of £24,778.81 in luggage claims and £27,900 in E-vouchers.

Syers, of Maple Park, Durham, admitted fraud by abuse of position.

Martin Towers, defending, told the court how Syers was a Durham University student but had to drop out after one year due to a muscular condition.

He said: "She is a lady of previous good character.

"She's suffering from depression but was not able to continue the medication as they are making the muscular condition worse."

Judge Edward Bindloss jailed Syers for 12 months and told her: "You were in a position of trust. You were trusted to do your job honestly and accurately.

"Given the breach of trust here this case is so serious only an immediate custodial sentence can be justified."