Bank supervisor ‘stole £1m to appease crack-smoking lover’

A "trusted" supervisor at a bank was forced to steal nearly £1 million in a five-year crime spree by her violent crack-smoking boyfriend, a court heard.

Ania Wadsworth, who worked at the Golders Green branch of Lloyds TSB, is accused of stealing £921,717 between 2002 and 2007.

She claimed her boyfriend Keith Preddie threatened to kill her if she refused to bring home the cash.

The 28-year-old said she was scared of Preddie, 30, who allegedly beat her up and saw her as a "cash cow".

It is alleged she took the money from tills and cash machines which she was responsible for filling, or transferred cash into their accounts.

She "manipulated" accounts to cover her tracks, the Old Bailey was told.

Wadsworth, who denies stealing, admits taking £870,000 but said it was under duress. Preddie, of Romford, denies laundering £145,370 of the cash. He also denies forcing her to steal or knowing the money was stolen.

The trial continues.