David Naylor (40) stole the money in a series of 21 transactions between June 2004 and May 2006, when he was "living beyond his means" and needed the cash to help cover his financial difficulties.

He was sentenced at Norwich Crown Court on Friday and was ordered to repay the stolen money within six months. He will also pay £1,000 in court costs.

Naylor, of 51 Burkitt Street, Lynn, created a number of client accounts with false names.

Shortly after insurance had been bought by these fictitious individuals, policies were cancelled and refunds totalling £50,181 were made.

The scam was exposed last year, when questions were asked about the number of refunds being made which amounted to a substantial sum of money.

One of the refunds was made to Naylor's own credit card in his own name for his own insurance.

When questioned, he said he had been suffering financial difficulties and supplied a list of the accounts he could remember.

Mr Richard Potts, prosecuting, said Naylor had worked for the firm for 19 years and as information technology manager had access to computerised accounts and staff passwords.

He was subjected to internal disciplinary proceedings before the police were called, but when interviewed made "no comment."

Miss Katharine Moore, defending, said the scam was not the most sophisticated plan as one of the refunds went back to his own credit card.

She added: "He was just living beyond his means.

"It was money he used for every day living and running more than one vehicle. No Rolls Royce or expensive jewellery."

Miss Moore said Naylor was willing to repay the money through the sale of a house and there was no risk of repeat offending.

She said: "He made full and frank admissions and helped where he could. This will affect his ability to work in this field again and he is sorry."

On passing sentence Judge Peter Jacobs said: "For about 18 months you admit taking more than £50,000 from them and they trusted you.

"If you had not made one refund to your own credit card it may not have been picked up for much longer. You were simply living beyond your means."