Clerk replaces thief in letting agency

A letting agency accounts clerk recruited to replace an employee dismissed because of theft has now herself been found guilty of stealing almost £14,000.

The Sleaford Target reports that Janice Edwards was taken on by Belvoir Lettings as a replacement for her disgraced predecessor.

However, Lincoln Crown Court has heard that having helped the company identify how much had been stolen by the dismissed staff member, Edwards then began taking money herself, apparently targeting rent money.

Stephen Kemp, prosecuting, said: "She would take the cash and put it in her handbag. She would then manipulate the figures on the computer in such a way that it would suggest the money had been paid into the company's account when it had not been."

Edwards’ crimes took place during 2013 but came to light more than a year later when a routine audit was carried out. "Edwards admitted taking money and wrote a confession. She was later dismissed" Kemp told the court.

Edwards, aged 61, admitted theft of £13,885 from Belvoir Lettings between January 9 2013 and November 16 2013.

She has now repaid all of the money she stole but she has been given a 12 month jail sentence suspended for a year along with 200 hours of unpaid work.

The court heard Judge Michael Heath say that Edwards was living beyond her means and stole the extra money to subsidise her lifestyle. He told Edwards that she had only been spared from an immediate jail sentence because she admitted the matters straight away and had since paid back the money.