Office worker, 23, stole £29,000 from her boss after complaining about the cost of her 19-mile commute to work

An accounts assistant stole £29,000 from her boss after complaining about the cost of her 19 mile commute to work.

Rebecca Hassell, 23, pocketed the cash by diverting refunds at a car dealership to her own bank accounts, a court heard. The thefts were discovered when Hassell quit her job at Oakmere Motor Group in Cheshire citing 'a struggle with money' her mental health and the cost of driving the 35 minute journey from home in Wilmslow where she lived with her grandparents.

Investigations revealed she had attempted to steal a further £18,000 from the Northwich-based company using its card machines. At Chester Crown Court, where Hassell admitted fraud, Jonathan Jarratt, 48, managing director of his family run dealership said as a result of the thefts, the firm had to spend £4,200 pounds on an audit whilst two staff had to take pay cuts totalling £1,800 on a profit share scheme.

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“Rebecca was welcomed to the family was treated as one of our own and was trusted to work in the accounts team,'' said Mr Jarratt. ''But as a result of what she did the company suffered a loss of just under £30,000 in the 2023 financial year.

''As well as various financial impacts on our family run business we cannot underestimate the impact on the culture embedded in the business and staff. Our group accountant took full responsibility for the actions of Rebecca as a trusted team member. She blamed herself for not having discovered the dishonesty sooner and having put her trust in Rebecca.

“I personally feel very badly let down by Rebecca’s actions. I tried to help with her personal circumstances. We really did care for her and to have that trust and compassion thrown back at us in that way is absolutely heartbreaking.

“It is not a victimless crime. The culture in our business will never be the same. The relationship between the staff and management is very much the worse for it.”

The court heard Hassell, of Back Lane, Eaton, began working for Oakmere in May 2022. Her role involved completing daily banking, collecting cash taken the previous day, obtaining statements from suppliers and asking another member of staff to make payments.

Nardeen Némat, prosecuting, said: ''Refunds were a common occurrence with sports cars. The refund would be recorded by a member of staff, a physical refund slip would be placed in a tray for a member of the accounting team to cross-check against any refunds.

''But in May or June 2023, a £3,000 refund was logged on a PDQ terminal when none of the sales team were aware of the refund, what it was for or that they were responsible. The money was refunded into a bank account and tis was reported to Barclaycard who advised that two further refunds had been attempted one for £5,000 and another for £6,000. Both transactions had been declined

''The defendant left the company on 28 June 2023. She resigned and said this was because she was struggling with money, the cost of the commute and her mental health. However, she visited the premises a few times to speak to members of staff. On 15 August 2023, she was observed by a member of staff to pick up one of the terminals. The next day it was noticed that a refund for £7,000 had been attempted on 15 August. The salesmen did not recognise the refund and so the refund was stopped.

''Enquires conducted by the business confirmed that the bank accounts belonged to the defendant and a further investigation showed between May 2023 and June 2023 there had been numerous refunds and missing PDQ receipts throughout that period. A total amount of £29,000 had been transferred into the defendant’s bank account during that period. A further £18,000 was attempted.

''In interview the defendant accepted she had fraudulently stolen money through PDQ terminal transactions but could not confirm how much he had stolen.''

Eve Salter, defending, said: ''The mitigation is her previous good character, her age and naivety at the time of the offence, the steps taken to address what happened and her genuine remorse.

“She is now in full time employment elsewhere. Her employer is aware of what has happened and is supportive of her. She was honest and open about the proceedings that she is currently facing. She has an intention to pay the money back.''

A letter from Hassell's grandmother Barbara read: “She left school with results which made us very proud. She took an apprenticeship and won an 'Apprentice of the year' award. She has a good work ethic and has been in work since 16.''

Mrs Hassell said her granddaughter struggled making friends and added: “When she has one, she goes along with whatever they say. They always end up using her and leaving her. She had no confidence in herself and it is heartbreaking to see her like this.''

Hasell, who now works at an Audi dealership six miles away in Macclesfield, was sentenced to two years in prison, suspended for two years and ordered that she undertake 100 hours of unpaid work. She was also ordered to complete 20 days of rehabilitation activity and a 12 month mental health treatment programme. She faced up to four years in jail under sentencing guidelines. A proceeds of crime hearing will take place later to recover the lost money

Sentencing the judge Mr Recorder Louis Browne KC said: “You are still a very young woman and your developing life experiences and reflections on your ill considered actions will act as a deterrent for further offending. By imposing a suspended sentence I am showing that you are worth a chance. It is up to you whether you take that chance.”