A finance director who diverted £12,000 of company money into his personal account has been ordered to pay £1,003 to compensate his former business partner.

Andrew Warman, 53, formerly of Bunwell Street, Bunwell, was banned from holding a directorship for six years after he admitted abusing his position as director of Norwich-based Griffin Green Ltd by receiving payments which were meant for the company between May 1, 2013 and September 29, 2014.

In January this year, Warman was given 16 months in prison, suspended for two years, and ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work as well as the directorship ban.

Warman was back in Norwich Crown Court for the confiscation hearing which heard that he had since paid back around £4,000 of the cash he took.

Wiliiam Carter, prosecuting, said that meant the benefit figure was now put at £8,299, but said Warman had no assets other than the £1,003 which was held in a bank account.

Mr Carter asked if instead of confiscating the cash it could be paid as compensation to Andrew Clarke, the former business partner of Warman, who had been the most affected by the offence.

He told the court that Mr Clarke had lost a significant sum and said: 'It is a fairly paltry sum in the scheme of things, I don't see why he should not at least have something.'

Charlene Sumnal, mitigating for Warman, said the £1,003 was in a bank account and was his only asset.

She said that he had already paid back about £4,000 and asked if he could be given three months in which to pay the compensation amount.

Recorder Guy Ayers agreed the order that Warman should pay £1,003 compensation to Mr Clarke or serve six weeks in default of any payment.

During the sentencing hearing, the court heard how Warman had gone into business with Mr Clarke in April 2013, each taking 40pc shares in the company Griffin Green, a fledgling company.

They decided to take modest salaries of £14,000, but it became clear there was less money available when the books were looked at by accountants.

What appeared to be an unpaid invoice for £12,000 was found to have instead been paid into Warman's personal account.