A FINANCIAL assistant at Southampton University ripped off her employers by ordering dozens of phones which she then sold on, Winchester Crown Court heard.

Emma Revill banked more than £35,000 from her dodgy dealing, which lasted for almost two years until a potential purchaser became suspicious and alerted the police.

Prosecutor Tammy Mears said the 31-year-old began working for the university in 2009. The following January she moved to the administrations department, where her role was to buy three different types of phones for staff.

“She was left to her own devices and no checks on her were made.”

She ordered 177 phones and sold 167 of them and was paid £35,260, leaving ten handsets outstanding.

When she tried to sell them to Mazuna Phones in June last year they became suspicious and told police.

Revill admitted what she had done in interview.

Ms Mears said the fraud had doubled Revill’s wage. She spent the money on paying off credit cards, general living and nights out.

Mr Mears added: “It represents a high degree of abuse of trust.”

Revill, of Redmore Close, Southampton, admitted fraud and received a 16 month suspended sentence and a six-month curfew.

In mitigation Andrew Coley said Revill was of previous good character and had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity. Her father had offered to repay the university a substantial sum.

Her offending began when she started selling old phones, Mr Coley said, explaining that her motivation was not financial but was due to personality and compulsive disorders.

“But as matters progressed she began to order mobile phones to sell on. It is an unusual case. She knew what she was doing was wrong but in a way she was harming herself and knew she would be caught.

“She got herself in a downward spiral with depression and alcohol playing its parts. She had since voluntarily sought counselling.

Passing sentence Judge Jane Miller QC, who read psychiatric, psychological and probation reports, said it was clear Revill was remorseful and she had no need of the money because she was relatively well off. She accepted she had suffered from personality and compulsive disorders.

Though Revill had been in a position of trust, the judge criticised the university’s supervision, saying: “This would not have gone on for almost two years if someone had been watching over you.”