A FORMER employee at Visit Isle of Wight appeared in court this morning (Tuesday) charged with fraud and theft against the company, totalling £33,874.

Joanne Thornton, 55, formerly of Heath Lane, Freshwater, who has since moved to Sheffield, pleaded guilty to both counts at the Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court and said she would repay the money.

She is the wife of David Thornton, who was chief executive of Visit IW from October 2012 until his resignation in December 2017.

She was charged with committing fraud by abuse of position to the sum of £18,961, whereby she dishonestly abused her position as finance officer to make a gain, by transferring £18,961 from the company account between April 2013 and March 2018, contrary to the Fraud Act 2006.

She was also charged with theft by an employee between April 2016 and April 2018 when she is said to have stolen cash to the value of £14,913, contrary to the Theft Act 1968.

The case was adjourned for sentencing at the Isle of Wight Crown Court on November 16.