A FORMER receptionist has been jailed for nine months after stealing almost £25,000 from Cherwell District Council while working at a leisure centre.

Diane Taylor, 49, of Kiln Lane, Oxford, was told by a judge at Oxford Crown Court her actions were "premeditated" and "cunning".

Defence barrister James McCrindell told the court his client was of fragile mental state and had pleaded guilty to the offences at the earliest opportunity.

Taylor used to work for the council at Bicester and Ploughley Leisure Centre, in Queens Avenue, Bicester.