Gillian Holden began using on line bingo and slot machine sites having become stressed after problems developed in her relationship with her partner.
Despite being on a £42,000 salary and owning a hairdressing business, her gambling habit led to her amassing debts and for just over a year, unknown to her bosses at Anglo Plant Hire Ltd in Widnes, she used various methods to steal from them.
The money she took, totalling £21,232, went into her four bank accounts before discrepancies in the business accounts came to light, said Helen Richardson, prosecuting.
40-year-old Holden, of Park Road, Warrington, pleaded guilty at Liverpool Crown Court to theft and was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment suspended for 18 months. She was also ordered to carry out 120 hours unpaid work, attend 25 days rehabilitation activities and pay £425 towards prosecuting costs.
Judge Brian Cummings, QC, pointed out there was “deviousness” in committing the offence and covering up the thefts.
“Plainly a high degree of trust was reposed in you. For just over a year and by a variety of methods you stole £21,000 plus. Eventually it came to light about a year ago,” he said. “You are of previous good character and references speak of your trustworthy nature, said Judge Cummings, adding that the mother-of-two had acted out of character.
Miss Richardson told Liverpool Crown Court today (Fri) that the dishonesty occurred between December 2014 and February 2016.
Methods she used to take money included paying relatively small sums into her own bank account purportedly for holiday, overtime and pension payments. Holden, who was responsible for the business credit card, also stole from the petty cash and fiddled invoices.
After the losses came to light she was suspended and the police notified. She said “her gambling habit had lured her into taking the money from those who had employed her in a trustworthy capacity”.
Miss Richardson said that she explained she also owned a hairdressing business, Beauty Lounge, but said it made no money and just covered its overheads.
Simeon Evans, defending, said she had left school at 16 and worked her way up in jobs including admin, management and financial control. Holden, who separated from her daughter’s dad in 2008 began a new relationship about two years ago with the man who is now her husband.
“When problems developed with it she was extremely upset and while dealing with them discovered the world of on line gambling web sites and started seeking distraction,” said Mr Evans.
“She very quickly used up a lot of money and in a short time using these web sites became problematic….as the gambling habit took hold then her wages did not suffice.”
She is remorseful and has taken to steps to address her gambling problem. “She has thrown away 25 years’ experience and her CV is now almost worthless,” he added.
Report by Lynda Roughley from Liverpool Crown Court
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