AN accountant who fiddled the books of a family-run glass company to fund a lavish wedding and honeymoon has been jailed for 16 months.

Former Tylers Green man Ken Watkins stole £24,127 from David Price Glass Ltd over a period of four years after abusing a position of “high trust” at the firm, Reading Crown Court heard on Friday.

The 59-year-old, formerly of St Johns Road, used the money to pay for his wedding and a luxury honeymoon cruise to New York on the QE2 – as well as another holiday to Egypt.

But after his crimes were uncovered, his new wife Jan left him, the court heard.

Hilary Neville, prosecuting, told the court Watkins began fiddling accounts at the company, based in Maidenhead and Slough, ten months after he was employed in January 2005.

She said Watkins' thefts only came to light last year when boss David Price checked the accounts and found he had been pocketing money for himself on dates other than the monthly payday.

Mr Price confronted Watkins, who admitted to what he had done.

Police were called in after it became apparent to Mr Price more than £20,000 was missing.

A statement from Mr Price read to the court said: "Mr Watkins has done irreversible damage to my company and put 20 employees at risk.

"The family company has suffered a massive financial loss.

"He got married while in employment and had a lavish wedding reception and honeymoon. His ability to have this lavish lifestyle was because he was stealing this amount of money.

"I'm suffering from stress and anxiety, in particular it has affected my family life. I've been coming home late and arguing with my family."

Neil Jarvis, defending, told the court Watkins tried to pay back some of the money by selling a flat he owned in Bristol and his Fiat Punto.

Mr Jarvis said Watkins was an alcoholic who spent a lot of the money on drinking.

Watkins was now dependent on benefits, Mr Jarvis said.

Recorder Annabel Darlow jailed Watkins, now of Longstock Court, Swindon, for 16 months but said he would be allowed out on licence after eight months.

She said apart from alcohol Watkins spent the money on improving his lifestyle.

She said: "Your offending was used to fund, in part at least, a lifestyle which would be regarded as very good, if not lavish.

"Your employer was a family company of some 37 years standing with about 30 employees.

"It was a very serious breach of trust. You were employed as a company accountant and considerable trust was imposed on you.

"You took advantage of that to help yourself repeatedly to the company's money.”

He pleaded guilty to 17 counts - two of obtaining money transfers by deception, three of fraud, six of false accounting and another six of theft.

Recorder Darlow said there were a further 96 offences but he was prosecuted on the 17 offences which "demonstrated his worst conduct".

Watkins must pay £11,960.96 in compensation to the company.