A POST office manager who cooked the books at a branch in Burnley to cover a £16,200 shortfall has been given a suspended prison sentence.
Forty-five year-old Susan Ellis insisted she had not gained personally, while committing the fraud at Harle Syke post office, the Burnley Crown Court was told.
But the postmistress, Lisa Beresford, still had to pay the missing money back to the Post Office for Ellis’ behaviour, the court heard.
Ellis, of Greyheights View, Chorley, admitted to fraud by false accounting between late 2013 and March 2014. She was given an eight-month prison term, suspended for 12 months.
She must also complete 100 hours of community service and pay £1,000 in compensation to Mrs Beresford at the rate of £80 per month.
David Traynor, prosecuting, said they auditors from the Post Office arrived at the Harle Syke branch in January 2014.
Ellis was the branch manager, a role she had held for around 14 years, and Mrs Beresford was the ‘hands-off’ manager of the premises, the court heard.
Mr Traynor said there should have been around £44,500 at the branch but auditors discovered there was only £29,000.
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There was a shortfall in cash terms of £15,500 and when stocktaking errors were also considered the total loss was £16,200.
When interviewed by police, Ellis said she that she had noticed some months ago that the books were not balancing and she admitted she had entered a host of false figures, to cover up the fact, the court heard.
She insisted she had not gained personally from the fraud and prosecutors have not proceeded with a theft charge, in relation to the case, which she had denied.
Philip Holden defending, said Ellis, who has no previous convictions, has not been motivated by personal gain and now had a new job, which she would lose if sent to prison.
Passing sentence Judge Ian Leeming QC said that the court had ‘great sympathy’ with Mrs Beresford, who had been forced to repay the missing money, which had affected her not only financially but had damaged her health and personal relationships.
But Judge Leeming told the court a suspended sentence was appropriate as the defendant had shown remorse, had no criminal record and would lose her employment if jailed immediately.