A North Cheam mother-of-one is in the frame for a £2.6 million double theft from the top city financier she used to work for.

Joyti De-Laurey, of London Road, appeared in court on Tuesday charged with stealing the sum from Goldman Sachs banker Scott Meade, while she was his personal assistant.

City of London Magistrates Court heard the 33-year-old woman had transferred £2.25 million from his bank account on January 16, before taking a further £346,144 on April 12.

Mrs De-Laurey was allowed to return home to North Cheam on Tuesday, but has had to post £390,000 bail and has been required to make daily appearances at Sutton police station.

She will appear in the same court on October 8, and is likely to be committed for trial at the Old Bailey.

Mrs De-Laurey is accused of finding out Mr Meade's bank details and transferring the huge sums into a Bank of Cyprus account.

July 12, 2002 11:00