Daughter funded gambling addiction by stealing from father’s Leeds business

Ginnie Cassells came close to leaving her father in financial ruin after she plundered his business and personal bank accounts to fund her online addiction.

Leeds Crown Court heard Cassells was taken on by her father to run the financial side of his foam spray technology firm as she was struggling to find work with hours that enabled her to look after he young daughter.

Carmel Pearson, prosecuting, said Cassells initially worked hard and helped the business to prosper. She was given a company car and was trusted with a company credit card.

Mr Cassells was contacted by Ulster Bank in December 2012 and was told there discrepancies with his account.

The prosecutor said Mr Cassells then realised things had “spiralled out of control” in early 2013 after discovering the extent of his daughter’s deception.

During a business trip to London he was unable to draw any money out of his bank. When he confronted Cassells, she told him: “Dad, I can’t do this any more. I’m going to have a nervous breakdown. I have been stealing money from your bank account.”

The court heard Mr Cassells’s business suffered badly as his credit rating was damaged by his daughter’s actions. He also faced losing his home but has now managed to rebuild his company with the help of friends.

The 57-year-old victim described the impact the offending in a statement which was reading in court.

It stated: “She was the love of my life and I now realise I did not even know who she really was. It is so painful.”

Ian Cook, mitigating, said Cassells was ashamed of what she had done and had sought help over her gambling addiction.

Mr Cook said Cassells’s daughter could suffer if she was sent to prison.

Recorder Gregory Perrins gave Cassells a 20 month prison sentence, suspended for two years, and ordered her to take part in a programme designed to address her offending.

He said: “It is difficult to imagine a more complete betrayal of trust than that which you inflicted on your father.”