A former travel company staff was jailed for 28 months on Thursday for misappropriating $49,551.

Lim Kim San, 43, had admitted to misappropriating the amount from his employer, Nam Ho Travel Service, between February 25 and June 1 last year when he was working as a counter tour manager.

A district court heard that he had been employed by the company in Eu Tong Sen Street since 2008. His role was to manage counter staff and customer relations, including sales.

Around March and April last year, he needed money to pay for his house and therefore decided to take money paid by Nam Ho's customers for tour packages for his own use.

Between Feb 25 and June 1 last year, he instructed nine customers to make payment by bank transfer to his personal bank account, contrary to his employer's practice.

This is not the first time he has been convicted of such an offence. He has similar convictions in 2002, 2003 and 2009 for misappropriating money from other travel agencies. He has made full restitution of $49,551.

He could have been jailed for up to 15 years and fined.