A BOOK-KEEPER who stole more than £4,000 from a school has been told she faces jail.

Corinne Philpott, 26, admitted one count of fraud by abuse of position when she appeared at Basildon Crown Court.

She stole the money from St Thomas More High School, in Kenilworth Gardens, Westcliff, between April 2007 and February 2008.

The single mum-of-three, who was employed as a finance assistant at the school, pocketed cheques and cash she was supposed to deposit in the school’s bank account.

Laureen Husain said in mitigation Philpott was sorry and was keen to compensate the school.

Miss Husain said: “Having lost her job as a result of this, she is now on benefits. But she will make some effort to pay back what she can, but it will be difficult because she has three children and limited means.”

Judge Alan Saggerson told Philpott a prison sentence was “almost inevitable” before releasing her on bail.

Philpott, of Willingdale Avenue, Rayleigh, was ordered to return to the court on February 15 for sentencing.

She did not want to make a comment to the Echo after the hearing.