A 51-year-old woman has been jailed after she was caught defrauding a luxury Berkshire hotel out of £543,782.53.

Alida Ludewig, 51, of Corfe Way, Farnborough, Hampshire appeared at Reading Crown Court on Friday, November 15 where she pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of position.

When Ludewig was employed by Donnington Valley Hotel and Spa as a finance manager, she reportedly used company credit cards to purchase personal items.

This fraudulent behaviour took place between 2018 and 2022.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Claire Midwinter, said: “Ludewig was a trusted member of staff and her actions have had a massive detrimental impact on the company.”

Ludewig was arrested on 19 December 2022 and was charged with the offence on 17 January this year.

She was sentenced to four years in prison.