A woman who ran a £228,000 stamp and printer cartridge scam at work will now lose her HOME.
Karen Belton used her employer's business accounts to order huge quantities of both items - then sold them on eBay.
She even did this on her work laptop at the Warrington offices of technology company Multos International, using the profile name 'Merlin'.
But a review by the firm after she left the job revealed Belton had bought stamps and printer cartridges on an industrial scale .
The 42-year-old was jailed for 20 months at Liverpool Crown Court in November 2018, after admitting one count of theft.
Today she learned the courts intended to seize her property to compensate the company.
Rebecca Smith, prosecuting, said "meaningful discussions" had taken place between a financial investigator and Belton and her husband.
She said: "The benefit figure agreed is £228,899.65 and the available amount, as a result of a slight reduction in the value of the property held between the two parties, is £36,618.50.
"I ask that the court make an order in that sum."
Belton did not have legal representation at Liverpool Crown Court, but was supported by her husband in the public gallery.
Judge David Aubrey, QC, told her she must pay £36,618.50 within the next three months, or face a further year in prison.
Under the provision of Proceeds of Crime Applications hearings, he ordered this sum be paid as compensation to Multos International.
As a business service manager in Warrington, Belton was responsible for the day-to-day management of her office between 2009 and 2015.
In 2017, when the firm relocated two years after she left, a review revealed "unusually" large amounts of money had been spent on printer cartridges and postage stamps during her time at the company.
All of the items had been ordered and approved by Belton, leading to the firm contacting Cheshire Police.
Officers discovered Belton had set up an eBay account in 2008 under the name Merlin, from which she was selling stamps and printer cartridges at discounted prices.
Speaking at the time, Detective Constable Carl Davis said: "The audacity and arrogance of Belton is quite simply unbelievable.
"She stole stamps and printer cartridges on an industrial scale and even had the nerve to operate her eBay account from her work laptop during work hours.
"She had a number clients that she dealt with on a regular basis, purchasing stamps and cartridges through her work account after receiving their orders through eBay.
"In total we estimate that Belton stole approximately £200,000 worth of goods during her time at the company, with one client paying £159,479 into her account.
"Thankfully, as a result of the routine audit and a thorough investigation from Cheshire Police, Belton is now facing the consequences of her actions."
