Children's centre manager jailed over £100,000 cheques fraud

Jennifer Benson, 40, illegally cashed 48 cheques over a four-year period from an account belonging to East Riding Children's Centre in Withernsea, East Yorkshire.

She spent the money, which was meant to improve the lives of children aged under five in the resort and their parents, on herself and her family, splashing out on a caravan and improvements to her 250,000 home in the town.

Benson, who awarded 52,000 of work contracts to family and friends, told Hull Crown Court she was desperate to give her husband and grown-up daughter "everything they wanted".

Following an investigation by auditors, she pleaded guilty to a charge of misconduct in a public office and concealing criminal property.

A former colleague said: "I felt sick that there was no money for the parents and children of Withernsea, who were denied it by her greed."

Benson was invited to Downing Street and was presented with a commendation for good work in 2003, two years before she became centre manager.

She was exposed following complaints from staff about her behaviour which led to an inquiry by auditors.

After being caught Benson – described as "greedy" and a "bully" – wrote a letter to East Riding Council, which runs the centre, blaming two innocent colleagues.

She claimed the cash she had taken was to buy toys and provided false receipts for three toy companies totalling 7,196. But the auditors discovered no toys had ever been purchased.

Mark Kendall, prosecuting, said: "She misappropriated cash for her own use. She accepted she favoured family and friends and showed them existing tenders. Her activities caused some distress to fellow employees.

"Many suspected her activities, but were reluctant to come forward because she was a bully at work."

Benson was suspended by the council on July 6 last year and was sacked in November.

Patrick Palmer, for Benson, said: "Her fall from grace was rapid. They will now lose everything. She is extremely remorseful. She said she always regarded herself as a moral and proper person."

Judge Rodney Jameson QC sentenced Benson to two years and four months in jail.

He said: "She has stolen in round terms 100,000 that was earmarked for the least advantaged members of society; children of families without substantial incomes.

"In essence, she was running this small department more as a personal fiefdom for the benefit of herself and her family than for those for whom the fund was entrusted to her care.

"This was a long course of conduct. However the money was spent, it was spent. It was to give her family whatever they wanted."

Benson had been the manager of the children's centre, which is based at Withernsea High School, since it opened in 2005.

She previously worked for the council-run Withernsea Sure Start from 2003.

Residents in Withernsea spoke of their anger after the hearing.

Lynn Healing, 55, whose grandson attends the centre, said: "It's an absolute disgrace. She's taken from families that really needed that money, that needed that extra support."

A spokesman for East Riding Council said: "This former employee was dismissed following an investigation into fraudulent use of council funds.

"The council takes offences of this nature very seriously. When concerns came to light, the council's procedures to investigate allegations were followed and worked smoothly."