THE owner of a wedding venue in South Petherwin admitted de­frauding her employers out of £1.14 million over a number of years at Southwark Crown Court in London last week.

Anne Baker, 62, of Manderley, South Petherwin, pleaded guilty to committing fraud offences totalling £1.14 million when she appeared in court on Tuesday, February 27.

Mrs Baker was employed as a Radiology Manager for a private medical group and retired in March 2012 following 29 years service.

Suspicions were first raised when an internal audit back in 2012 uncovered a series of invoices that had been submitted on a monthly basis for 'radiology fees' incurred by a 'Dr Baker'.

Each one had been signed off and authorised for payment by Mrs Anne Baker using her maiden name of Anne Fitzpartick.

Subsequent enquires revealed that 'Dr Baker' was not listed on the company database.

For the full report, and a round up of the area news and sport, please see this week's edition of the 'Post'.