She did pretty well out of it...
http://www.wigantoday.net/wigan-news/Woman-stole-10000-from-school.3225463.jp
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how come a fraudster, who actually forged signatures, got away with a suspended sentence ?
I always thought the amount stolen should be paid back plus compensation and costs :o :o :o
I personally think she should have her house taken away, sold to pay off the ENTIRE AMOUNT she stole.Then what's remaining is hers. Plus a certain amount of jail time too.
I'm sick of reading about cases where the guilty get off lightly.
Where's the deterrant?
I feel just as strongly about Drink Drivers. Cars should be taken away and CRUSHED when they are found to be over the limit. Sentenced with manslaughter if they kill someone and given a jail sentence. Not points on the licence. Does that make them stop and think for next time? NO! I don't think it does.
Lauren
You are absolutely right Lauren. Not only can she keep the house that our school has helped to pay for, but she can also have a new kitchen and bathroom fitted, and hubby can have a new car, all courtesy of the school. Believe me, there is much more to this story than the courts knew about. And what's worse, we only have to look out of the classroom windows to be reminded of it every day - she lives only yards away. It makes us soooooooo mad!!!!
http://www.wigantoday.net/wigan-news/Head-speaks-of-utter-betrayal.3239939.jp
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It amazes me that a fraudster can carry on for 4 years!! Trusted position or not surely yearly checks should be made. When I was treasurer of our local racing pigeon club I asked the Chairman to go through my accounts with me.
Lorna
Fraud is a pretty safe crime, isn't it? I've known several cases of the most appalling abuse of trust. The fraudsters merely lost their respective jobs when found out - no-one wanted the embarrassment of admitting they'd been defrauded, so the criminals were never even investigated by the police, never mind charged.
Lorna, this woman was very, very clever at her thieving. She had previously worked for a firm of accountants, and we assume it was here where she learned all about something called 'teeming and lading' which left the school books looking accurate to the auditors. It was a calculated crime which she would no doubt have carried on with had she not been rumbled. She was extremely efficient at her job, very plausible and we all trusted her, being the parent of children in our school and a well known figure in the village. It was a real bombshell when we found out what she had been doing.
Oh!!!!! I'm sooo bursting to tell you all what else she took, but we haven't got proof. The amount she was charged with taking was not the whole story by a long chalk. :-X :-X :-X :-X >:( >:( >:(
Definitely a case of crime does pay! Don't suppose for one minute she lost any sleep over it, certainly came out of the job richer than when she went in. The fact that she still lives near the school shows she has no conscience. With a bit of luck What goes around comes around and she might take time to reflect on her dishonesty.
Lorna
oh hopeful give us just a little hint!!!! go on you know you want to.
so if she doesnt have to pay back all the money will anyone make up the schools shortfall?
I think it’s probably ok now to say more, and even this is not everything. A couple of things you should know before reading on:
The Bryn Gates Association = P.T.A. Karen Metcalfe was trusted to count and bank all proceeds. Fundraising events over the time she was employed had made over £6,000 (figures quoted by her, we have no way of knowing whether it was actually more than that). >:(
Quoting directly from a letter sent out to parents from the Governing Body of our school:
"For almost 3 years the school had to abide by legal procedure and had no right of reply despite Metcalfe showing absolutely no remorse whatsoever. Also the school had to work tremendously hard to recoup the significant amount of money that had been stolen."
"Established firms providing uniform, travel, visits and tuition were very understanding and cooperative as the school worked tirelessly to revive its reputation in erasing debts that had been incurred. It is worth mentioning at this point that at no time throughout the last 3 years has anyone - council - LEA etc... assisted the school in a financial capacity, the school has had to do that all on its own."
"The investigations centred on 27 offences that totalled just under £10,000 but audit unearthed several more deceptions, one such example is the Bryn Gates Association. Cheques from the Association had been paid into Metcalfe's account and funds raised from 2 Fundays, 2 Fun nights and 4 discos had not been deposited. As an independent organisation the Bryn Gates Association did not fall under the remit of external audit so this could not be included in the investigation. Neither were other deceptions, the investigation of which the police felt would lengthen the procedure even more without seriously affecting the outcome."
“Staff at the school felt shocked, angry and betrayed by this blatant abuse of trust and criminal activity but this was compounded by Metcalfe’s actions during the last 3 years. Not only did she show absolutely no remorse, but consistently lied and attempted to degrade the reputation of the Headteacher, the school staff and the Governors of the school.â€
“It was hoped that the sentencing of Metcalfe would bring to an end the whole unpleasant situation, but if we are being honest there is a feeling amongst everyone connected to the school that justice in this case has not been seen to be done.â€
“The sentence imposed and the award of just over £4,000 compensation (and we don’t know yet who this is payable to or how it is to be paid as no one has informed us) we feel, as a Governing Body does not reflect the severity of Metcalfe’s actions.â€
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does she still live there?
do the neighbours know ?
how on earth do her kids feel ? are they still attending the school
I can't understand how the hard faced c*w can't feel remorse !!