Charity finance manager ordered to pay back over £15,000 she stole from her employer

A 44-year-old woman who worked as a finance manager for York-based charity Northern College of Acupuncture stole over £15,000 from her employer.
By Grace Newton
Published 26th Feb 2021, 15:20 BST
Northern College of Acupuncture in YorkNorthern College of Acupuncture in York
Northern College of Acupuncture in York

Daphne Smith, of Carlton Husthwaite near Thirsk, appeared at York Crown Court this week and was ordered to pay back £15,314.07 which she stole whilst in her role.

Smith worked at the charity between 2017 and 2019 and it was only when temporary cover was brought in whilst she was on leave that her dishonesty became apparent. Records showed Smith had been regularly making overpayments into her own bank account and when questioned, claimed it had been agreed she could be paid in instalments rather than a lump sum each month.

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Following a police investigation, Smith pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of position and under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, she was ordered to pay back what she had stolen plus an additional £800 which represents the change in the value of money.

The order made was for her to pay a total of £15,314.07 to the Northern College of Acupuncture, which is based on Micklegate in York. Smith also received a three-year community order with a requirement for her to undertake 40 days of rehabilitation activity.

Detective Sergeant Rowland of North Yorkshire Police’s Economic Crime Unit said: “Whilst the conviction and sentence imposed upon Smith for the theft are very important, so is the follow up work that goes on after criminal court proceedings. North Yorkshire Police always seeks to redress the financial damage done to a victim using the legislation available. The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 is a powerful tool which allows us to show a court the amount a person has benefited from the crime and then ask the court for an order to make sure it is paid back.

“Our financial investigators work incredibly hard to ensure that in every case, where possible, a case is put before a judge for consideration. As a result of this order Daphne Smith will not have benefited from her crime and the local charity will be repaid what was stolen from them.

“If Smith fails to pay what she owes in the time the judge has allowed she will receive a custodial sentence.”