Newcastle Crown Court heard that Danielle Longstaffe pilfered hundreds of thousands of pounds from her employer after getting into difficulty while being pursued by loan sharks
Woman steals £370k from employer but walks free because she's pregnant - Mirror Online
Share Woman steals £370k from employer but walks free because she's pregnant
Newcastle Crown Court heard that Danielle Longstaffe pilfered hundreds of thousands of pounds from her employer after getting into difficulty while being pursued by loan sharks
A fraudster who stole £370,000 from her employer in a bid to pay back loan sharks has got off scot free thanks to her unborn child.
Danielle Longstaffe, 32, was found to have defrauded the six-figure sum from Kaefer Ltd, in Jarrow, Tyne and Wear, in several instalments while working as a transport administrator for the firm.
Newcastle Crown Courtheard the expectant mum had transferred money from her employer's accounts into her own, and those of friends and family, while using false details in an attempt to cover her tracks.
Warning as scammers set to target UK during the festive season, says SantanderA judge at Newcastle Crown Court handed Longstaffe a suspended sentence ( Image: NCJ Media) Teesside Livereported that the court heard that Longstaffe confessed and helper her employer identify the amount of money she had stolen from the firm when he was confronted, finding £218,000 worth of unauthorised banking transactions.
Recorder Harry Vann, presiding, told the mum it was "clear from banking records" and her interview that she "took advantage" of her position to steal "enormous sums every single month".
He said: "It's clear from banking records and what you said interview you took advantage of your position in a company where you had worked for nine years and decided, suddenly, after a period of successful employment, to start stealing enormous sums, they were enormous sums every single month."
The judge added that her actions impacted 300 colleagues, but was sentenced to two year suspended for an additional two with a mental health requirement after hearing her history of mental difficulties and duties caring for her elderly grandmother.
He added: "I have to take into account the impact on any pregnant woman.
Defending "remorseful" Longstaffe, Clare Anderson said her client "acknowledges this is serious criminal offending", adding she got into financial difficulty "because of loan sharks".
"She's wholly and utterly remorseful and she doesn't wish to use her pregnancyas an excuse.
She has not got pregnant to avoid any sentence that might be imposed."
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