As Emma Louise Morton 's fate became apparent, the long-time director of a not-for-profit childcare centre began to weep loudly.

The 51-year-old looked back with a look of desperation at supporters in the ACT Supreme Court public gallery, knowing she would return to the jail where she had spent 13 days after being arrested in 2021.

It would take Morton more than four years to admit to three counts of theft after stealing $305,785 from the Weston Creek Children's Centre .

On Thursday, October 30, Justice Belinda Baker said the woman had used the centre's funds as "her own personal bank account" in a grievous breach of trust.

Morton was handed a total sentence of three years, which the judge elected to suspend after three months of custody.

She is also set to serve a good behaviour

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