Manager stole £16,000 from domestic violence charity

Sandra Oldham, 48, used the Craven Domestic Violence Service's online account with an office supplies business to buy the two games, costing just over 200, as Christmas presents in 2008, a court heard yesterday. Bradford Crown Court was told that Oldham, of Milton Street, Skipton, also submitted fraudulent expense claims and on seven occasions paid herself her monthly salary twice.

Edward Renvoize, prosecuting, said Oldham had worked for the registered charity for a number of years before becoming office manager in 2007.

In that role she was responsible for paying wages, dealing with petty cash and validating expense claims.

Although Oldham has since remortgaged her home in order to pay back all the stolen money to the charity the court heard that her offending led to its financial reserves being wiped out and levels of service to clients being reduced.

An initial investigation was launched after concerns were raised about the purchase of the Wii Fit games.

"In summary she had been abusing her position as office manager in order to draw extra monies from Craven Domestic Violence Service in a number of ways," said Mr Renvoize.

Between August 2007 and November 2009 Oldham paid herself an additional monthly salary seven times and Mr Renvoize conceded that the accounting procedures were "somewhat lackadaisical".

In October 2009 Oldham made out a cheque for cash to herself for 971 and she went on to admit making fraudulent expense claims.

Oldham, who was said to have been an outreach worker and fundraiser for the organisation, was suspended from her post in December 2009 and was arrested the following month.

She admitted theft offences and fraud and was granted bail until being sentenced at a later date.