A couple who were taken on to run a Norwich guest house for its owner stole about £20,000 in takings and removed fixtures and fittings worth more than £14,000, a court heard.

Susan Graham, 47, and her husband Lawrence Graham, 51, were taken on as managers of the Wensum Guest House in Dereham Road, which they ran from January 2010 to October 2010.

But when they left the job after 10 months, it was discovered that they had stolen many fixtures and fittings from the premises to use at a new guesthouse they were setting up in Ipswich.

Martin Ivory, prosecuting at Norwich Crown Court, said the stolen items included a flatscreen TV, computer equipment, crockery, cushions, ornaments and bedside lamps.

Other items included 18 bespoke bedside cabinets, chest of drawers and soft furnishings.

Mr Ivory said that when police arrested the couple they were able to recover much of the property and return it to the Norwich guesthouse.

The court heard that both had previous convictions for theft and deception.

Mr Ivory said the couple admitted the thefts from the guesthouse but said there had been a delay in the case after Lawrence Graham was involved in a road accident which has left him with mental health problems.

Susan and Lawrence Graham both admitted theft.

The court heard that as well as the £14,000 worth of fittings from the guesthouse about £20,000 in takings had also been stolen although Susan Graham was only responsible for stealing £1,600.

Judge Mark Lucraft imposed an 18-month sentence suspended for two years on Susan Graham, and a 20-month sentence suspended for two years on Lawrence Graham.

Chris Paxton, for Susan Graham, said she was the main carer for her elderly father and said that she deserved credit for her guilty plea.

Andrew Thompson, for Lawrence Graham, said that his mental health had deteriorated rapidly following a road accident.

He said his condition was now being managed but added: 'His significant problems may take some time to resolve.'

He said that he also deserved credit for his early plea.

Speaking after the case, Detective Constable Colin Aris said: 'They are a couple of professional confidence tricksters who have used false details and CVs to gain employment in a position of trust. They've used that position and they've pillaged the guesthouse of its major chattels over a period of time.'

Det Con Aris said the couple's actions put at risk the jobs of about 30 people because of the financial constraints put on the owner of the guesthouse who has two to three other hotels and guest houses.

But despite the couple receiving suspended terms of imprisonment instead of immediate custodial sentences, Det Con Aris said the case reinforced the message that Norfolk Constabulary 'doesn't give up easily' and will 'pursue' offenders responsible for this type of crime.