Woman jailed for £165,000 theft in Staffordshire

A woman has been sentenced to two years in prison for stealing more than £165,000 from a publicly-funded Staffordshire development agency.

Katie Richardson, 30, of, Stone, pleaded guilty two counts of theft totalling £165,244.

The charges relate to the InStaffs development agency, Stafford.

Police said Richardson, of Longhope Drive, had been writing company cheques and cashing them, or putting them into her own account

She then manipulated company accounting systems to cover her tracks, they said.

During a search of her home, detectives found a number of items believed to have been bought with the money she stole, including a Mitsuibishi Lancer and a VW Polo.

Det Sgt Dave Wain, from Stafford CID, said: "Staffordshire Police has investigated a substantial theft from InStaffs UK. The only person believed to be involved was Mrs Richardson.

"This is not a victimless crime and we are totally committed to bringing individuals who abuse a position of trust to justice."

Richardson was jailed at Stafford Crown Court on Monday.