The friends and family of Karen Cross stood by her on Friday as Chief Justice Richard Ground sentenced her to six months in prison for stealing more than $30,000 from British American Insurance.

The mother of two, an employee of British American for more than 20 years, fought back tears as she told Mr. Justice Ground that she stole the money from clients to pay for medical treatments after British American itself failed to give her adequate medical coverage.

Cross, 54, suffers from myasthenia gravis, a neurological disorder which can cause the loss of muscle control. The disease can be life-threatening.

She was first charged with stealing the money from her employer in October last year. Though she initially denied the charges, she later pleaded guilty to three of six counts, however she disputed the amounts said to have been stolen.

The Crown alleged that between July, 1996 and April, 2001 Cross stole more than $30,000. Cross, however, maintained she stole just under $3,000.

A special Newton hearing was held to determine the correct amounts, and the total was ascertained to be $31,675.60.

Despite glowing character references from UBP MP Maxwell Burgess and former Health Minister Quinton Edness, both of whom count Cross as a friend and expressed their initial disbelief at the charges, Mr. Justice Ground said her actions after she was charged left him doubtful.

?It?s hard to believe she?s as honest as everyone says she is,? he said, adding he did not believe Cross was remorseful.

Cross?s lawyer, Delroy Duncan, however, said there was a difference between a lack of remorse and a sense of grievance against her former employer ? a sentiment Cross echoed.

?I didn?t just get up and say, I?m going to take British American?s money,? she said.

For years, doctors had been telling her that her illness was all in her mind, she said ? despite the fact that she was losing her sight and at times was unable to walk.

?If I didn?t get out of here (and overseas for medical treatment) I wouldn?t be standing in this box today,? she said. ?I am remorseful ... I gave a lot to British American. Yes, they trusted me, but I trusted them too, and they let me down. No, it doesn?t make me any less dishonest. But I am remorseful.?

Cross said she hopes to pay the money back after her 55th birthday in January of next year, when she becomes eligible to collect a pension windfall of $120,000 from British American. She is eligible to collect the $60,000 in the account right now, but if she waits two months until her 55th birthday that amount will double.