MEMBERS of a family hairdressing business have spoken of their devastation after an employee admitted stealing thousands of pounds from them.

Read more: Hairdresser admits £16,000 theft

Milly Sanders, who works at Level Hair and Beauty in Ryde, with mother Genevieve Sanders, told the County Press Nathan Barrier-Close had worked at the business for ten years and was a manager.

He appeared in court yesterday (Tuesday) and admitted theft by employee.

Milly said: "We’ve had to keep quiet for so long, I think the publicity now helps in a way.

"We are a tiny family business who work so hard and treats all our staff as family so you can imagine how hard this was for us all."

Isle of Wight County Press:

In a post on her Facebook page, which has been shared widely, Milly said: "Justice always wins.

"This has been something I’ve had to keep quiet about for months and anyone who knows me would know that it was extremely difficult for my whole family.

"Nathan was in a position of trust, not just as a employee but as a family friend.

"This was a betrayal of my mother's goodwill and trust from the beginning of his employment.

"This was a betrayal of my mother's goodwill and trust from the beginning of his employment.

"Despite being paid a generous monthly wage he was stealing from a hard-working family business who trusted him."

Barrier-Close will be sentenced at the Isle of Wight Crown Court on July 10.