A CONVICTED fraudster will have to pay back more than half a million pounds in compensation to her victims after swindling companies out of millions. 

Evelyn Gore-Strachan, 43, has been ordered by court to pay back £660,000 to victims of her fraudulent activity. 

Gore-Strachan was jailed for 12 years on April 22 2016 after admitting nine counts of fraud by abuse of position. 

She worked as an accountant at Webtech Wireless in Reading between April 2008 and December 2012 and defrauded the company out of £809,776.

After she left Webtech, she joined Britannia Pharmaceuticals LTD, also in Reading, and swindled them out of £1,000,614.

After she was sentenced, Thames Valley Police opened up a confiscation proceedings order under the proceeds of crime act. 

This led to a two day hearing at Reading Crown Court, where she was ordered to pay back the compensation, with £224,000 going to Webtech Wireless and £442,000 to Britannia Pharmaceuticals LTD. 

If she does not pay within three months, she could face having five-and-a-half years added to her sentence. 

Investigating officer, Detective Inspector Gavin Tyrrell, of Thames Valley Police's Economic Crime Unit, said: "This investigation involved a significant amount of money fraudulently obtained over seven years, laundered through numerous accounts and individuals in the UK and abroad.

"The victims will be rightfully compensated and the Proceeds of Crime Act enables a further term of imprisonment should Gore-Strachan not co-operate by satisfying the order.

"Thames Valley Police will rigorously pursue the recovery of proceeds of crime and ensure that, in the end, crime does not pay."