The director of a business based in Eye said it could have easily gone under after a senior manager stole more than £140,000 from the firm.

Stephen Endreson has been jailed for two years after he stole more than £141,000 from Wrightfield Ltd, which is based at Mid Suffolk Business Park.

Endreson was employed as a finance manager by the company in June 2013.

He was given access to the online bank accounts and between January 6 and March this year stole more than £141,000 from the company, which has a turnover of £3m and employs about 40 staff.

Endreson, 48, of Bayfield Avenue, Dereham, was jailed for two years on Friday at Ipswich Crown Court after he pleaded guilty to theft from an employer.

At the sentencing were four of his former work colleagues.

John Wilby, director of Wrightfield, said: 'They did not see a look of remorse on his face.

'This man had no regard for his fellow workers and he could easily have put the company into administration. Like any business we have our ups and downs and if this had happened when we were down then anything could have happened.'

Mr Wilby said his wife, Lorna, uncovered Endreson's theft and that there was a chance that only about £6,000 could be clawed back.

Endreson had been a maths supply teacher and had worked at Great Yarmouth High School. Mr Wilby said that Endreson has also lived in Mundford.

On Friday, Ipswich Crown Court heard Endreson was arrested on the Isle of Wight after fleeing from his job in Eye and his family and home.

He had even changed his name.

He was tracked down to the Isle of Wight through his cash card and mobile phone.

The court heard that he had previous convictions for dishonesty from the age of 15 to 33.

Jonathan Goodman, representing Endreson at the court, said Endreson was extremely remorseful but had stolen the money after his gambling addiction spiralled out of control.