An ex-Bank of Butterfield vice-president will be sentenced today for the theft of more than $300,000. The woman, Deirdre Graves, 48, of St. Anne's Road, Southampton, pleaded guilty to stealing the money in the last arraignments session.

Crown counsel Charmaine Smith suggested that although Graves had returned the stolen funds - she should receive an immediate term of incarceration.

The Supreme Court heard that Graves had removed money from floating accounts and gave it to friends before their loan applications were processed.

She had pleaded guilty to 11 indictable charges of fraud, which dated back to June, 1999.

From June 1999 until February 2001 she stole a total of $325,210. She worked for the bank in the capacity of vice president of the Treasury department and helped herself to reconciled funds - that had not gone into an account as yet. She stole amounts, which ranged from $11,000 to more than $50,000. Defence lawyer Alan Dunch emphasised that the reason she had carried out the crimes was because she was a depressed divorcee with two children, and was facing financial and professional stress.