BUSINESSWOMAN Sarah Stone wrecked her career after her husband-to-be dumped her for another woman.

Stone, 26, who was earning around £40,000 a year, started dipping into the firm's accounts to pay the bills on the house she had bought with her fiance, a court heard.

And by the time her 18 month web of deceit was uncovered, she had stolen more than £44,000, said Fran Gough, prosecuting at Manchester Magistrates' Court.

Stone, of Hempcroft Road, Timperley, admitted twenty one counts of theft and was jailed for 12 months.

District Judge Peter Ward told her; "I accept the money was not used on high living but this was a serious breach of trust."

"The breakdown of your relationship wasn't your fault but it's impossible to avoid a custodial sentence."

Ms Gough said when Stone pleaded guilty last month the court were led to believe the cash had been repaid but her ex-employers had not received a penny.

She had been the accounts boss of three Manchester-based companies - Skymart Handling Ltd, Skymart Logistics and Skymart Holdings. £4,500 of the money had gone on a jet ski.

Solicitor David Stocks, defending, said Stone had raised £37,445, which he undertook to hand over to the complainants.

"After her fiance confessed he had been seeing another woman and walked out she was left in dire straits.

"She is full of remorse and has now lost everything - her house and her career," added Mr Stocks.

The court heard she was owed £1,200 in wages and Judge Ward said as the company was in possession of the jet ski he did not propose to make a compensation order for the outstanding £5,400.