A heavily pregnant Alice Springs woman has been sentenced to five years and three months in prison for stealing close to half a million dollars from her former employer.

Key points: Marlee Veness was sentenced to five years and three months in prison for aggravated stealing, with a non-parole period of just over two-and-a-half years

Marlee Veness was sentenced to five years and three months in prison for aggravated stealing, with a non-parole period of just over two-and-a-half years The business's owners, who had to lay off staff and almost close because of the theft, welcomed the prison sentence

The business's owners, who had to lay off staff and almost close because of the theft, welcomed the prison sentence The defence had sought a partially suspended sentence because Veness is due to give birth in about a week

Last week Marlee Veness pleaded guilty to taking roughly $486,000 from business Arafura Helicopters, trading as Alice Springs Helicopters, over a two-and-a-half-year period while she worked there.

The Supreme Court heard the theft occurred over 147 "disguised" bank transfers.

Acting Justice Anthony Graham said during sentencing the business almost went bankrupt because of the theft and had to lay off staff, while Veness was "lavishly" spending on herself.

"The offending had very little sophistication, however it extended over a long period" Acting Justice Graham said.

"She betrayed their trust in a heartless and prolonged way."

'We went into survival mode'

Speaking outside court, managing director Warwick Curr and assistant director and chief pilot James Griffiths both said they were happy with the sentence.

"It's a true reflection of the damage that she's done to us," Mr Curr said.

"The ongoing effects of facing bankruptcy, unpaid employer's expenses … it's been a very difficult time for both of us and our families.

"It was just one knock after another … we had to liquify a lot of personal assets to keep [the business] going."

Alice Springs woman Marlee Veness has jailed for stealing almost half a million dollars from her former employers. ( Facebook: Marlee Veness )

Mr Griffiths said they had to go into "survival mode".

"We had basically no other option [other than] to run on a skeleton crew and hope for the best," Mr Griffiths said.

He said his initial reaction to the theft was disbelief.

"You'd only see that in a movie … it was pretty surreal to try and take it. You didn't want to believe it, but you had to," he said.

Both men said they would advise other small businesses in small towns not to rely on their accountants or one person in their own organisation too much.

"Certainly, periodically take it to someone else for a different look," Mr Curr said.

Mr Griffiths said they went through two accounting firms during Veness's employment, and no alarm bells were raised during that time.

Likelihood of all stolen money being returned 'virtually nil'

Defence lawyer Greg Betts argued for a partially suspended sentence because Ms Veness is due to give birth in about a week, but Acting Justice Graham said though Veness showed remorse, actions bear consequences.

She has paid back almost half of the amount stolen, and Acting Justice Graham ordered she pay back the rest — roughly $250,000.

However he said the victims "sensibly and practically understand that the likelihood of that being paid is virtually nil".

Veness's sentence came with a non-parole period of just over two-and-a half years.