A PRACTICE manager at a health centre stole more than £35,000 as she felt she should be paid more for her job, a court heard.

Jennifer Barret was said to have made a “poor judgement” at a time of extreme stress due to a family illness and heavy workload.

A judge told the 51-year-old today that he doubted she would have stolen but for the pressures she was enduring.

Barrett was said to have suffered personal problems - not explained at Teesside Crown Court - which had caused trouble for most of her life.

The theft was carried out between July 2013 and February 2015, but was not discovered until a year ago after a period of extended leave.

Prosecutor Paul Abrahams said that more than £20,000 was recovered from the insurers of Tennant Street Medical Practice in Stockton, but the remaining near £15,000 shortfall was met by the six property-owning partners.

Dr Iain Bonivan said in a statement that once the full extent of the loss was known, the partners agreed to receive lower earnings rather than leave the 13,000 patient practice to bear the brunt.

He described a “significant” impact, and said staff spent many hours addressing the problems created by Barret.

Barret, of Derwent Street, Hartlepool, admitted theft, and was given a nine-month prison sentence, suspended for a year.

Judge Howard Crowson told her: “It is sad to see you here. Over a period of your life you have managed to acquire a trusted position.

“Perhaps unknown to those employing you, many of the stresses that have built up over many years have compounded to a position where, in your words, you were simply not coping.”

Ian Mullarkey, mitigating, said the money was not spent on a lavish lifestyle, and Barret had to make many trips to Ireland to nurse her terminally-ill father. She simply had too many things on her plate.

“She has had some considerable success in her life in a range of NHS employments. She recognises now that that life is effectively over. She will have to rebuild.”

The judge - who also imposed 15 days of rehabilitation activity requirement - added: “Your biggest loss is your good character and your ability to get employment in the future.”