Charity worker stole to go intershopping

An assistant stole more than £11,000 from a children’s charity to fund her internet shopping habit, a court heard.

Amy Chester, 30, worked for Kids’ City, a charity providing affordable child care, after-school activities and breakfast clubs to poorer families in London.

Chester made a number of purchases from Amazon made on the company’s credit card as well as using it to pay for meals out.

She was based in the charity’s branch at the Jubilee Primary School in Tulse Hill, Brixton, and also abused her role to pocketed cash payments made by parents.

When she was arrested, she initially denied any wrongdoing, but later pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud by abuse of position.

Prosecutor Rebecca Lee said: ‘Ms Chester worked for Kids’ City for five years and Kids’ City is a charity which provides services to children – child care, nursery activities and out-of-school activities.

‘Ms Chester worked in administration in the services quality team but in 2014 it came to the attention of the chief executive that Ms Chester had been using the company credit card for unauthorised purchases.

‘There were a number of purchases from Amazon and other shopping sites but also restaurants were included in these purchases.’

‘That misuse of the credit card led to further investigation into the misappropriation of funds that had been paid by parents in cash for the services offered by Kids’ City.’

‘The reality was that the system on which booking and payments were recorded was on occasion used by Ms Chester when she wasn’t authorised to use it.

‘She used it to log payments, but the cash didn’t make it’s way into the Kids’ City bank account.’

Chester was initially charged with stealing £7,000, but further investigation pegged the figure at £11,023.

Julian Hayes, for Chester, told the court that at the time of the offending the mum-of-one’s relationship with her parents was breaking down and she had been very depressed.

‘Her situation is now very different,’ he said.

‘She’s now four weeks away from qualifying as a teacher and she’s been offered employment at the Rochester Grammar School, who are well aware of what’s going on in court today.’

He added that she has since paid back £5,000 of the stolen money through inheritance left to her by her grandfather, and expects to be able to pay back the rest within six months.

Deferring sentence for six months until 31 July, Judge Owen Davies QC said: ‘I think this is a case where actions speak louder than words.

‘I can say that if the damage is made good to the extent she is able to make it good, then I can take a certain view of this case in light of its antiquity.’