Leeds Arcadia Group finance worker stole £23,000 of staff canteen takings to pay off her boyfriend's drug debts

A finance worker at Arcadia Group in Leeds stole more than £23,000 from her employer in a bid to pay off her boyfriend's drug debts.
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Lauren Clay was spared prison despite carrying out a two-and-a-half year deception at the clothing retail firm's offices in the city.

Clay plundered weekly takings from the staff canteen then altered records to cover up her offending.

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She was handed a suspended sentence after a court heard Clay had been in a controlling and abusive relationship with a drug addict 20 years her senior.

Leeds Crown CourtLeeds Crown Court
Leeds Crown Court

Clay turned to crime in a bid to pay off "spiralling debt" caused by his drug use.

Leeds Crown Court heard Clay's deception eventually came to light when a member of staff in the accounts department noticed a discrepancy.

Joseph Bell, prosecuting, said the 26-year-old abused her position as a member of the cash and banking team.

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The offending took place between June 2017 and December 2019.

Mr Bell said canteen staff would place weekly takings into a bag before it was handed to a member of the cash and banking team who checked the amount and placed it in to a safe.

Clay removed money from the bag then altered documents to cover up the deception.

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Further investigations revealed more occasions when there was a shortfall in cash.

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It was then discovered that Clay had made additional entries in the accounts to balance out her offending.

Mr Bell said: "It was these false entries that were made by the defendant that were not readily checked by members of staff which allowed the defendant to do this for so long."

Clay was asked about the discrepancies and said: "It looks like I robbed it but I haven't."

She was suspended from work but resigned on February 4 last year.

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Clay, of Springfield Court, Banksfield Avenue , Yeadon, Leeds, pleaded guilty to theft.

Mr Bell said the offending including 43 transactions totalling £23,550.

Miss Frith said Clay had been in an abusive and controlling relationship with a drug user 20 years her senior at the time of the offending.

The court was told the defendant carried out the offending to pay off debt caused by his drug use.

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The lawyer said: "People were coming to the house repeatedly, chasing money

"It led to spiralling debt.

"He promised to help with the debt but never did.."

Miss Frith said the "toxic" relationship is now over and her client has a new partner and a new job.

Clay was given a 14-month prison sentence, suspended for 24 months, and ordered to do 200 hours of unpaid work.

Judge Simon Phillips QC said: "You have come with a hair's breadth of going to prison today.

"You are undoubtedly a young person of ability.

"The court hopes that you will channel that ability in a useful and honest way and make a success of yourself and businesses you work for.

"But you have work to do. I want this to be clear."