Worker must pay back £7,000 of £18,000 theft (From Daily Echo)
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Worker must pay back £7,000 of £18,000 theft
7:30am Tuesday 31st January 2012 in New Forest
Worker must pay back £7,000 of £18,000 theft
A HAMPSHIRE mum who stole nearly £18,000 from her employer has to pay back just £7,000.
Caroline Butler, a supervisor for Shell garages in both Hythe and Shirley for 13 years, stole £17,720 in cash, Southampton Crown Court heard.
Her boss Mr Hunt noticed missing payments in August and September last year and discovered cash had been taken from money bags and the garage’s safe on five separate occasions.
When he confronted Butler, 34, who did the banking alone, she admitted stealing the cash and was arrested.
Butler, of Old Redbridge Road, Southampton, paid £2,000 back from money given to her by her grandmother, the court heard.
Prosecuting, Mary Aspinall- Miles said Butler got into “severe financial difficulties”
when her older child’s father refused to make any payments for the child who has health problems and has expensive dietary needs.
Butler, who lives in a onebedroom flat with her two children and current husband, also had a £500 nursery bill for her three-year-old and was threatened by bailiffs.
Ms Aspinall-Miles said: “She says she couldn’t afford to feed or clothe her children.
“It started off small but then she got a taste for it and it got worse and worse and worse as her financial position got worse.”
Mitigating, John-Paul Jones said Butler, who now works for Hermes, a courier firm, was of previous good character. She is also subjected to verbal abuse from her husband and is taking antidepressants, he added.
Judge Peter Ralls, said: “I am told and I expect that at the time you were under extreme financial pressure but nevertheless that does not excuse stealing and that does not excuse stealing from your employer.”
Sentencing her to 50 weeks in prison suspended for two years and 200 hours of community service, he added: “You have lost your good character, you have lost your job and you very nearly lost your liberty.”
She must pay £5,000 back to her employer but no costs.
Speaking after court Mr Hunt said the theft had put him in difficult trading conditions.
He said: “It seems like it pays to be a criminal. I don’t feel that I warranted being treated in that way after employing her for 13 years.
“If she’d have asked me for a loan I’d have given it to her, but why steal nearly £18,000?”
Comments(32)
elvisimo
says...
8:24am Tue 31 Jan 12
Taskforce 141
says...
8:38am Tue 31 Jan 12
Essential thanks to very poor judgements this thief now in a sense is getting paid for her community service... £11,000/200hours = £55p/h!!!
The wickedsaint
says...
8:44am Tue 31 Jan 12
Huey
says...
8:59am Tue 31 Jan 12
What's that then?
Fois Gras addiction?
Injecting Caviar?
Lobster dependency?
Linesman
says...
9:08am Tue 31 Jan 12
This was on top of the wages that she would have been paid and she has another job.
I wonder whether her husband would have got the same sentence if he had used the same excuse.
I very much doubt it.
Paramjit Bahia
says...
10:03am Tue 31 Jan 12
I think most of us are in the wrong bussiness.
Paramjit Bahia
says...
10:13am Tue 31 Jan 12
Totton Ric
says...
10:49am Tue 31 Jan 12
Over the Edge
says...
11:47am Tue 31 Jan 12
I'm making an assumption that this lady no longer has any form of employment and will receive state benefits, therefore the poultry amount of money she has to pay back I presume is money from state benefit, so in theory, for stealing nearly £18k she gets 200 hours unpaid work and the threat of prison, a nice little earner, I must say so.
Over the Edge
says...
11:48am Tue 31 Jan 12
I'm making an assumption that this lady no longer has any form of employment and will receive state benefits, therefore the poultry amount of money she has to pay back I presume is money from state benefit, so in theory, for stealing nearly £18k she gets 200 hours unpaid work and the threat of prison, a nice little earner, I must say.
Goldenwight
says...
12:05pm Tue 31 Jan 12
Over the Edge wrote:By 'poultry amount' I think what you mean is it's chicken feed!
Two things I don't get about this is,,,,she only has to pay £5k back, why not the whole lot and how is she going to pay it? I'm making an assumption that this lady no longer has any form of employment and will receive state benefits, therefore the poultry amount of money she has to pay back I presume is money from state benefit, so in theory, for stealing nearly £18k she gets 200 hours unpaid work and the threat of prison, a nice little earner, I must say.
At the end of the day, whatever she was ordered to pay back is immaterial- since it is we taxpayers who are funding it through her state benefits.
townieboy
says...
12:42pm Tue 31 Jan 12
waltons11
says...
1:07pm Tue 31 Jan 12
Over the Edge
says...
1:23pm Tue 31 Jan 12
Goldenwight wrote:That's exactly correct sir/madam, we are paying for her crime, she is giving 200 hours back.
Over the Edge wrote:By 'poultry amount' I think what you mean is it's chicken feed!
Two things I don't get about this is,,,,she only has to pay £5k back, why not the whole lot and how is she going to pay it? I'm making an assumption that this lady no longer has any form of employment and will receive state benefits, therefore the poultry amount of money she has to pay back I presume is money from state benefit, so in theory, for stealing nearly £18k she gets 200 hours unpaid work and the threat of prison, a nice little earner, I must say.
At the end of the day, whatever she was ordered to pay back is immaterial- since it is we taxpayers who are funding it through her state benefits.
Judge Ralls strikes again, softest judge in Southampton,,,he needs grow a pair,,,I'm sure Judge (Bang Um Up) Boggis would have sent her down, along with the other women who got away with similar crimes recently
Over the Edge
says...
1:23pm Tue 31 Jan 12
Goldenwight wrote:That's exactly correct sir/madam, we are paying for her crime, she is giving 200 hours back.
Over the Edge wrote:By 'poultry amount' I think what you mean is it's chicken feed!
Two things I don't get about this is,,,,she only has to pay £5k back, why not the whole lot and how is she going to pay it? I'm making an assumption that this lady no longer has any form of employment and will receive state benefits, therefore the poultry amount of money she has to pay back I presume is money from state benefit, so in theory, for stealing nearly £18k she gets 200 hours unpaid work and the threat of prison, a nice little earner, I must say.
At the end of the day, whatever she was ordered to pay back is immaterial- since it is we taxpayers who are funding it through her state benefits.
Judge Ralls strikes again, softest judge in Southampton,,,he needs grow a pair,,,I'm sure Judge (Bang Um Up) Boggis would have sent her down, along with the other women who got away with similar crimes recently
Raven 81
says...
3:10pm Tue 31 Jan 12
She should be entitled to DLA payments for her disabled child and, as quoted above, working families tax credits.
We all struggle at times but we don't steal, we cut back and cope.
Its not like she stole £2 for a pint of milk and loaf of bread, £17000 is more than a lot of us earn in a year!
loosehead
says...
3:53pm Tue 31 Jan 12
Raven 81 wrote:Raven if what I've watched on BBc1's Saints & Sinners she would with two children one disabled be entitled to at least a two bedroom flat/home & the council would have to adapt it to the childs needs .
I am more concerned that she is subject to verbal abuse by her husband and yet is living in a one bedroom place with him and her 2 children.
She should be entitled to DLA payments for her disabled child and, as quoted above, working families tax credits.
We all struggle at times but we don't steal, we cut back and cope.
Its not like she stole £2 for a pint of milk and loaf of bread, £17000 is more than a lot of us earn in a year!
also this lady would get the highest grade payments she could also register as the childs carer so I can't believe she has actually told the truth.
If her childrens father is not paying why not contact the CSA ( I hope I got that right?)
as with another case is she lying through her back teeth again?
Raven 81
says...
4:05pm Tue 31 Jan 12
As you said Loosehead, I wonder how much truth she is telling.
nats0716
says...
4:28pm Tue 31 Jan 12
she must have been very desprate to have done this otherwise she would not of dreamed of doing this. as you can see she worked for 13 years before even doing this and was 100% trust worthy. so think of her state of mind at the time.
nats0716
says...
4:31pm Tue 31 Jan 12
she must have been very desprate to have done this otherwise she would not of dreamed of doing this. as you can see she worked for 13 years before even doing this and was 100% trust worthy. so think of her state of mind at the time.
rightway
says...
4:34pm Tue 31 Jan 12
Paramjit Bahia wrote:Bankers and MPs do not set examples for people to live thier lives, parents do. There is no excuse, she is a thief and should be made to pay every penny back.
On second thought, I suppose if bankers can get billions for damaging the economy, some people may think it to be cool to pocket few thousand pounds. Our so called respectable MPs have not exactly set good examples for people to follow have they?
Rocket 1
says...
4:46pm Tue 31 Jan 12
rightway wrote:Don't Forget Football Managers & Directors.
Paramjit Bahia wrote:Bankers and MPs do not set examples for people to live thier lives, parents do. There is no excuse, she is a thief and should be made to pay every penny back.
On second thought, I suppose if bankers can get billions for damaging the economy, some people may think it to be cool to pocket few thousand pounds. Our so called respectable MPs have not exactly set good examples for people to follow have they?
Raven 81
says...
6:56pm Tue 31 Jan 12
nats0716 wrote:I do agree that I personally do not know this lady, and did say in my post that she would not automatically be entitled to a bigger place, however, I was coming from the angle of the effect on her children living with her and her verbally abusive husband. I pointed out the fact that they live in a 1 bedroom place means the children will be likely to witness this abuse.
obviously none of you know this lady if you did you would know what she is really like all the comments of payments and housing needs you know nothing.she has been cramped in a 1 bed flat for some time not two bed as everyone seems to think she should have and the council seems to think that 4 people in these living conditions is exceptable.
she must have been very desprate to have done this otherwise she would not of dreamed of doing this. as you can see she worked for 13 years before even doing this and was 100% trust worthy. so think of her state of mind at the time.
100%HANTSBOY
says...
7:33pm Tue 31 Jan 12
Mind you,a few months of stealing sandwiches from a Shell garage would probably equate to more than £18k !!
Bring Back The Dell
says...
7:41pm Tue 31 Jan 12
Raven 81 wrote:I do know this person and would like to set the record straight. NONE of her children are disabled, and she has never been 100% trustworthy!!!!!!
nats0716 wrote: obviously none of you know this lady if you did you would know what she is really like all the comments of payments and housing needs you know nothing.she has been cramped in a 1 bed flat for some time not two bed as everyone seems to think she should have and the council seems to think that 4 people in these living conditions is exceptable. she must have been very desprate to have done this otherwise she would not of dreamed of doing this. as you can see she worked for 13 years before even doing this and was 100% trust worthy. so think of her state of mind at the time.I do agree that I personally do not know this lady, and did say in my post that she would not automatically be entitled to a bigger place, however, I was coming from the angle of the effect on her children living with her and her verbally abusive husband. I pointed out the fact that they live in a 1 bedroom place means the children will be likely to witness this abuse.
Shes not entitled for help with living or anything else as there is nothing medically wrong with them.
As for them witnessing abuse, if they do, it certainly isnt a one sided affair. Thats just a lame excuse for crocodile tears to get off ..... and guess what, it worked!!!
Bring Back The Dell
says...
7:42pm Tue 31 Jan 12
Raven 81 wrote:I do know this person and would like to set the record straight. NONE of her children are disabled, and she has never been 100% trustworthy!!!!!!
nats0716 wrote: obviously none of you know this lady if you did you would know what she is really like all the comments of payments and housing needs you know nothing.she has been cramped in a 1 bed flat for some time not two bed as everyone seems to think she should have and the council seems to think that 4 people in these living conditions is exceptable. she must have been very desprate to have done this otherwise she would not of dreamed of doing this. as you can see she worked for 13 years before even doing this and was 100% trust worthy. so think of her state of mind at the time.I do agree that I personally do not know this lady, and did say in my post that she would not automatically be entitled to a bigger place, however, I was coming from the angle of the effect on her children living with her and her verbally abusive husband. I pointed out the fact that they live in a 1 bedroom place means the children will be likely to witness this abuse.
Shes not entitled for help with living or anything else as there is nothing medically wrong with them.
As for them witnessing abuse, if they do, it certainly isnt a one sided affair. Thats just a lame excuse for crocodile tears to get off ..... and guess what, it worked!!!
gillyman
says...
8:29pm Tue 31 Jan 12
Bring Back The Dell wrote:think she should be charged with perjury as she has escaped punishment by lying in court and how must her partner feel now everyone thinks he is a b#**@#d
Raven 81 wrote:I do know this person and would like to set the record straight. NONE of her children are disabled, and she has never been 100% trustworthy!!!!!! Shes not entitled for help with living or anything else as there is nothing medically wrong with them. As for them witnessing abuse, if they do, it certainly isnt a one sided affair. Thats just a lame excuse for crocodile tears to get off ..... and guess what, it worked!!!nats0716 wrote: obviously none of you know this lady if you did you would know what she is really like all the comments of payments and housing needs you know nothing.she has been cramped in a 1 bed flat for some time not two bed as everyone seems to think she should have and the council seems to think that 4 people in these living conditions is exceptable. she must have been very desprate to have done this otherwise she would not of dreamed of doing this. as you can see she worked for 13 years before even doing this and was 100% trust worthy. so think of her state of mind at the time.I do agree that I personally do not know this lady, and did say in my post that she would not automatically be entitled to a bigger place, however, I was coming from the angle of the effect on her children living with her and her verbally abusive husband. I pointed out the fact that they live in a 1 bedroom place means the children will be likely to witness this abuse.
hope it was worth it
Big Borlotto
says...
8:41pm Tue 31 Jan 12
loosehead
says...
9:20pm Tue 31 Jan 12
Bring Back The Dell wrote:Why do people believe these liars?
Raven 81 wrote:I do know this person and would like to set the record straight. NONE of her children are disabled, and she has never been 100% trustworthy!!!!!!
nats0716 wrote: obviously none of you know this lady if you did you would know what she is really like all the comments of payments and housing needs you know nothing.she has been cramped in a 1 bed flat for some time not two bed as everyone seems to think she should have and the council seems to think that 4 people in these living conditions is exceptable. she must have been very desprate to have done this otherwise she would not of dreamed of doing this. as you can see she worked for 13 years before even doing this and was 100% trust worthy. so think of her state of mind at the time.I do agree that I personally do not know this lady, and did say in my post that she would not automatically be entitled to a bigger place, however, I was coming from the angle of the effect on her children living with her and her verbally abusive husband. I pointed out the fact that they live in a 1 bedroom place means the children will be likely to witness this abuse.
Shes not entitled for help with living or anything else as there is nothing medically wrong with them.
As for them witnessing abuse, if they do, it certainly isnt a one sided affair. Thats just a lame excuse for crocodile tears to get off ..... and guess what, it worked!!!
We know if you have a legitimate claim for housing & financial help it's there.
I know of a guy who's claiming disability allowance has a council ground floor flat & works.
If I could I would shop him but I've said to much already on that subject .
This lady the Lady before her Have committed perjury so why can't they both be arrested?
Bring Back The Dell
says...
8:02am Wed 1 Feb 12
loosehead wrote:Both were working, and she doesnt have a disabled child!
So why did she do it? what's her partner doing? I would ask why didn't she get tax credits? I've been watching Saints & Sinners on the BBC & she never needed to steal as there's plenty of financial support if you have a disabled child & why if she has is she in only a two bedroom flat? is it adapted for her childs needs? Sorry but before I can comment on the lady I would need to know more as if she's claiming all she's entitled to I can only judge her as a tea leaf who's gotten off lightly. If not & her partners working why steal if he's not why not?
Bring Back The Dell
says...
8:06am Wed 1 Feb 12
Raven 81 wrote:She doesnt have a disabled child! And the £17k was only what she got caught with, and no doubt there is loads that she got away with too.
I am more concerned that she is subject to verbal abuse by her husband and yet is living in a one bedroom place with him and her 2 children. She should be entitled to DLA payments for her disabled child and, as quoted above, working families tax credits. We all struggle at times but we don't steal, we cut back and cope. Its not like she stole £2 for a pint of milk and loaf of bread, £17000 is more than a lot of us earn in a year!
loosehead says...
8:00am Tue 31 Jan 12
I would ask why didn't she get tax credits?
I've been watching Saints & Sinners on the BBC & she never needed to steal as there's plenty of financial support if you have a disabled child & why if she has is she in only a two bedroom flat? is it adapted for her childs needs?
Sorry but before I can comment on the lady I would need to know more as if she's claiming all she's entitled to I can only judge her as a tea leaf who's gotten off lightly.
If not & her partners working why steal if he's not why not?