A FORMER Oxford University lecturer defrauded a company of £436,000 to fund her lavish lifestyle, a court heard.

Maria Di Natale, 45, was a temporary financial controller for Interstate Associates Limited, which counted Jamie Oliver, The Victoria and Albert Museum and Penguin Books among its clients.

She tricked a director into making her a sole signatory for the company bank account and took the money in less than a year by writing cheques and using the firm's credit card, the Old Bailey heard on Tuesday.

Di Natale pretended she only needed to work part time as she spent the company’s money on designer clothes, holidays and hiring a private jet. She also made out cheques for thousands of pounds to family and friends.

When she realised she was about to be caught, Di Natale tried to have two incriminating computers stolen from the company offices.

Jailing her for five years, Recorder Oliver Sells said: “This fraud has not only destroyed the company – it has destroyed careers, hopes and dreams.”

John Carl Townsend, defending, said Di Natale, now of Kilburn, London, was suffering from bipolar disorder.

Interstate Associates Ltd is based in west London and is due to be wound up.