Castleford finance worker swindled £26,000 from two companies, court is told

A finance worker who swindled more than £26,000 from two companies to feed his gambling addiction has avoided going to jail.
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Leeds Crown Court was told that Gavin Moore from Castleford, who already had a previous conviction for fraud, amended account details to divert cash towards his own bank account over a six-month period.

After being caught at one firm, and while he was being investigated, he got a job at another company where he also siphoned more cash, prosecutor Joseph Bell told the court.

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The 28-year-old was first given a job at Strategic Group as a ledger clerk in January 2017, processing invoices for contractors.

Moore siphoned cash to own accounts instead of paying contractors.Moore siphoned cash to own accounts instead of paying contractors.
Moore siphoned cash to own accounts instead of paying contractors.

At the end of 2018 a number of contractors approached the firm to say they had not received payment.

An investigation was launched and it was found that between June and November 2018 that cash had been diverted on a weekly basis to Moore, totaling more than £24,000.

He had managed to cover his tracks by using various methods, including partially paying contractors and sending the remainder to his account, and changing account numbers for customers and then changing them back.

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Moore, of Lansdowne Avenue, Castleford, admitted what he had done during a disciplinary meeting and he was dismissed from the firm.

However, he quickly gained employment at a second firm and just a month after starting, a customer rang to say they had not been paid.

Moore was tasked to look into the issue but failed to do so. It was eventually found that he had redirected £1,603 to his own accounts.

Moore admitted two counts of fraud by false representation.

The court was told that he had five previous convictions, including one of fraud by false representation from 2015.

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No mitigation was presented to the court by his barrister, but Judge Robin Mairs made reference to Moore's gambling issue during sentencing.

He gave him a two-year jail term, suspended for two years, and added: "If I locked you up you would not be able to pay the companies that you owe compensation.

"You amended bank details to pocket just over £26,000.

"You have taken significant steps to address your gambling addiction.

"You are now in employment and you are well thought of."