A British woman stole more than 1.4 million pounds ($1.5 million) from her employer to fund her gambling habit. [Image: Shutterstock.com]
“simple mistake
A woman living in the UK stole 1.4 million pounds ($1.5 million) from her employer to help fund her gambling addiction.
They got their money largely by tampering with bills
Karen Brailsford, 53, took money from Urban Design and Development Ltd in Clay Cross from March 2012 to February 2021. She got the money largely by tampering with bills.
Philip Blunt, the prosecution’s attorney, said Brailsford told company directors during a confrontation that her actions were a mistake. She later confessed to her crimes and admitted that she had been stealing money “for some time”.
Brailford gambling addiction
Brailsford, which earned a salary of £21,000 ($22,806), stole more than £300,000 ($325,800) from the company in one year at its peak. She had already illegally earned £21,000 in 2021 before she was arrested in February.
It was only discovered due to its blatant negligence
Almost £300,000 of her illegal income was spent on gambling. She also bought family items, including items for her children and two vacation caravans.
The court heard how desperate Brailsford was for money, and how it was only discovered by its blatant negligence. As soon as one of her employers discovered the “obvious” scheme, she was immediately confronted.
Brailsford pleaded guilty to one count of fraud by abuse of office on August 12. She appeared in Derby Crown Court on Thursday, where she reiterated her desperation.
Patrick Dawson, managing director of Urban Design and Development Ltd, filed a statement in court touching on the company’s losses during the complicit Brailford career. He also revealed that he struggled to separate his home and work life due to the sudden decline in finances.
UK gambling thefts
Brailsford’s attorney, Nicola Hornby, said her client has expressed remorse since she revealed herself. She also said that Brailford had confessed to her crimes and had “nothing to show for her…this is not a case where there are substantial identifiable assets”.
Furthermore, the lawyer argued that Brailsford suffered from depression, and that her prison situation would have a negative impact not only on herself but on her children and elderly father.
Brailsford is not the only UK resident implicated in fueling the illegal gambling habit. Earlier this year, a Welsh financial manager stole 47,000 pounds ($51,042) from a charity she was working for. Before that, another British man forwarded more than £200,000 ($217,200) from a medical charity, which he also used to gamble online.
Brailsford is still waiting for the verdict.
