TIME is running out for a family crisp firm to recover the more than £200,000 stolen from them by their employee and friend.

Book keeper Alison Balm blew tens of thousands of pounds on a luxury lifestyle for her and her family.

Balm, 50, then of Rectory Meadow, Bradwell, took the money from Fairfields Farm Crisps, in Wormingford, between 2010 and 2014.

Under the Proceeds of Crime Act there are two years from conviction to recover money, but after 18 months the money has not been repaid.

Representatives of Balm appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court on Friday and said the money would be repaid out of her dead husband’s estate after he committed suicide in 2014.

The court heard claims the defendant’s sister-in-law, an executor of the will following the death of Balm’s husband in 2014, was holding those proceedings up.

The court was told it was hoped the matters would be resolved before the deadline in April and the estate should be able to cover the repayment of the money stolen.

Judge Charles Gratwicke said: “We need to keep an eye on this.”

An update will be put before the court in January.

In May 2015 Balm admitted one count of theft of £218,038.75.

The money was spent on lavish holidays and weekend breaks at £2,000 a time.

Robert and Laura Strathern had set up the popular crisp company in 2006.

But by 2010, Balm was transferring money out of the business accounts and was giving herself regular bonuses.

She got her husband a job and convinced the family to give them rises while still stealing from them.

The Strathern family estimate the amount stolen to have been closer to £290,000.

Balm was jailed for three years in July 2015. She is already out of prison and in a bail hostel.

During sentencing, a victim impact from Mr Strathern said Balm’s actions were “devious” and had a “massive impact” on the business, putting all 30 jobs there at risk.

It stated: “At no stage has Alison Balm ever offered any apology for the horror she has brought us.”

Russell Butcher, mitigating, had claimed she did it all to keep her family together and wanted to repay the money.