
An accountant who stole millions of pounds from her employer has been jailed for five years.
Jemma Lewis moved over £3.6 million to her own accounts while she was working for five businesses owned by the same company.
The 40 year-old from St Nicholas pleaded guilty to five counts of fraud by abusing her position.
Newport Crown Court heard Lewis had used most of the stolen money on a gambling addiction - and she had benefited by nearly £2.5 million once legitimate payments and loans were removed.
South Wales Police said her actions had a "devastating impact" on her employer of 18 years, along with his family and staff.
DC Adam Segarty of South Wales Police, an officer working on the case, said: "One colleague resigned due to mental health believing they were the reason work projects were failing, due to lack of funds."
He added: "Most of these ill-gained funds unfortunately went on gambling and Lewis would re-gamble any winnings. She is now left with very little to show for the £2.491 million."
“We welcome the sentence imposed by Newport Crown Court and hope it will act as a deterrent to other individuals engaged in fraud or other types of economic crime.”