Court hears how accounts manager blew £750k company cash without questions from gambling companies
A trusted accounts manager was able to blow more than £750,000 of her company's cash without gambling companies questioning where the huge sums of cash were coming from.
Susanne Redhead worked at Pure Panels Management in Newcastle since it was set up in 2010, had been employed by the owners at their previous firm and became "trusted with the keys to the business accounts".
Newcastle Crown Court heard between November 2023 and January 2025 she stole £767,272 of company money over 445 illegal transactions and left the firm on the "brink of collapse".
The court heard during the stealing spree Redhead blew around £360,000 at the bookies in just one month, without the gambling firms questioning the source of the money.
Redhead, 53, of Roxham Court, Newcastle, admitted theft by employee and has been jailed for three years.
Judge Tim Gittins said: "It appears from everything I have read this was an extremely close team, really described as a family rather than just a team with a very close bond between you all that you betrayed."
Over the last 14 months of your employment from mid November 2023 to January 2025, when it all came crashing down, it was discovered you had plundered the company reserves as your gambling addiction spiraled out of control.
"The scale at which that spiral occurred is clear from the transactions."
The court heard Redhead would sometimes take tens or even hundreds of thousands of pounds per months.
Judge Gittins said the money was taken in "staggering sums" and added: "In December 2024 you took something like £350,000-£360,000 in one month, without gambling companies, it would seem, being required to undertake any proper checks about the source of your money."
In an impact statement, Redhead's former boss said he was "shocked and annoyed" and that she put the firm on the "brink of collapse".
He said in December 2024 the staff had been treated to a night at St. James' Park to watch Newcastle United in a quarter final, with all expenses paid for and Redhead had posted pictures of the night on her Facebook, calling them "family".
He added: "The previous evening she had stole £18,000. I don't know how anyone could do what she has done. I don't understand how she could show her face every day, talking normally."
Another colleague said they are "betrayed and heartbroken" and added: "We worked together as a team, as a family and someone who was part of that family has brought us to the point almost of bankruptcy."
Penny Hall, defending, said every time Redhead took money she thought she would be able to pay it back.
Miss Hall added: "She doesn't have anything to show for it."She is embarassed and genuinely remorseful. This wasn't taken out of fun, this was addiction.
"She is terrified at the prospect of prison."
Prosecutors have now started proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act to try and get the money back.