A gambling-addicted engineer has admitted stealing more than £140,000 from the Suffolk company he worked for.

Stephen Endreson is now likely to receive a jail sentence after pleading guilty to theft by employee at Ipswich Crown Court.

The 47-year-old appeared via a video link from Norwich Prison for his plea and case management hearing.

Endreson worked for Wrightfield Ltd in Eye at the time of the theft.

He was originally accused of stealing £142,559.97 over a two-month period from the firm which manufactures food conveyors.

However, prosecutor Martin Ivory told the court the amount had been reassessed. It was now accepted to be £852.97 less, which meant the overall total stolen was £141,707.

The offence took place between January 5 this year and March 4.

Ian James, representing Endreson, said his client was subject to addictive personality traits.

He added that Endreson was receiving counselling while in prison for his gambling issues.

Mr James asked Judge David Goodin to order a pre-sentencing report before sentencing Endreson.

Judge Goodin said he was prepared to adjourn the case for sentencing, but was not prepared to make an order for one to be done at this stage.

However, the judge heard that if an order was required it could be undertaken on the morning of sentencing.

The court was told it was accepted that Endreson, of Bayfield Avenue, Dereham, Norfolk, was likely to being given a prison sentence.

Mr James felt a pre-sentencing report on his client may make a difference to the length of the term.

Endreson will also face a subsequent Proceeds of Crime hearing, which if successful, will mean any assets he has would be confiscated and go towards paying back his benefit from crime.

Judge Goodin adjourned the case for sentencing until August 12.

Endreson was told he would appear in person before the court for that hearing.

Any Proceeds of Crime hearing would not take place until at least October.

Endreson was remanded back into custody.