Caravan holidays, trips… The thief grandmother was caught years later

Patricia Bennett, 69, was found to be a thief after retiring from her job as an accounting manager for 25 years. Bennett is alleged to have stolen £163,000 (approximately 5.5 million lire) from her boss.

It all came to light when Bennett retired. On his last day at the firm in July 2021, Bennett received cards, flowers and gifts. The accounting manager who arrived at the thieving grandmother’s house noticed something was wrong with the accounts and discovered suspicious transactions dating back 13 years.

Meanwhile, Bennett had already begun to enjoy his retirement and even showed it with the photographs he shared on his social media account.

HE TRAVELED FROM COUNTRY TO COUNTRY AND TOOK VACATION IN A CARAVAN

As investigations into the whereabouts of the missing money began, Bennett posted a series of holiday photos from England, Spain and Greece on social media. She also posted photos of the bar she and her unsuspecting husband Lawrence set up at the back of her house, which they called ‘Lorenzos’.

It was revealed that she transferred the company’s cash to three bank accounts, two in her own name and one in the name of Lawrence Bennett, to whom she has been married for 50 years.

The company’s chief executive, David Whitehead, said he was betrayed by his friend and former employee. Whitehead, 62, who runs the business in Manchester with his brother, told the court: “We are a small family business and we like to think there is a family atmosphere in the business. Patricia joined our family almost 25 years ago and we trust her.

If we had known that he was having financial difficulties, we would have helped him. However, he betrayed us for a long time. Our business has its ups and downs; My colleagues and I had to contribute money to keep things going during difficult times. But all this time he took this money from us while the accounts were completely in his hands.”

Whitehead said Bennett was also involved in his older brother and father’s accounts, and that they, too, felt betrayed.

HE WAS SENTENCED TO 18 MONTHS IN PRISON

Bennett admitted fraud totaling £163,111 and was sentenced to 18 months in prison.

In the case heard at Bolton Crown Court, it was claimed that Bennett was hired by Whitehead as an accounts manager in 1998 for £16,000 a year.

Prosecutor Brian Berlyne said: “Mr Whitehead trusted him and had no doubts about his integrity during his tenure. But when he retired in July 2001, the company hired a new account manager who noticed discrepancies in his accounts.

Some suppliers appear to have been paid twice, but upon further investigation, the companies involved said they were only paid once.

Mr Whitehead then inquired with his bank where the payments had gone and it was discovered that they had been made into two accounts in the name of Patricia Bennett and one account in the name of her husband, who had no knowledge of the fraudulent transactions.”

Since the amounts transferred to Bennett’s accounts were not large enough to attract attention, it was difficult to detect the situation. It is specified that these transactions were carried out between July 2008 and April 2021.

SHE CONFESSED EVERYTHING TO HER HUSBAND

Bennett, who was arrested after the events occurred, confessed to her husband Lawrence that she was guilty. Defense lawyer Niamh McGinty, in a bid to commute her sentence, said her client was in poor health and said: “She wishes to apologize unreservedly to Mr Whitehead and other members of the firm for the actions.” her. “He is ashamed of what he did.”

It was alleged that Bennett began committing fraud due to financial difficulties due to her husband’s poor health, and when this situation was not noticed, she continued her crime.

Sentencing Judge Martin Walsh told Bennett: “This case is a tragedy not only for you and your family but also for the victims of your ongoing dishonesty. “You have been tasked with managing the financial affairs of this small family business, but you are responsible for the regular fraudulent transfer of funds to your own bank account.”