Finance officer’s thefts forced charity to close

A FINANCE officer who caused a charity helping disabled people to fold by stealing £120,000 has walked free from court.

- ROB KENNEDY

Steven Hughes abused his position of trust to repeatedly help himself to cash meant to be used for the benefit of vulnerable people to fund his gambling habit.

‘The compulsive gambler was given chance after chance by bosses at registered charity, Gateshead Access Panel, but could not stop putting on bets. Now, Hughes, 40, of Ennerdale Place, Chester-le-Street, County Durham, who has autism which impacted on his behaviour, has been given a suspended prison sentence and unpaid work by a judge at Newcastle Crown Court.

‘The court heard Hughes had been employed by Gateshead Access Panel since 2011 and worked as a finance officer. Neil Pallister, prosecuting, said: “He was in a position of trust and dealing with hundreds of people. He dealt with all of the charity’s financial accounts and payroll”

‘The charity provided support for disabled people and their carers by finding sources of funding, organis-ing training courses and dealing with payrolls for carers and helping them pay taxes.