A North Yorkshire finance manager whose crimes cost her employers hundreds of thousands of pounds has been jailed.
Louise Chambers, 41, from Thirsk, worked for a group of Knaresborough-based companies from March 2021 to November 2022, when she was dismissed.
A review then identified fraudulent payments from company funds to accounts linked to Chambers, including a current account, a credit card and a council tax account.
North Yorkshire Police launched a criminal investigation. Chambers was arrested and interviewed.
Police enquiries identified fraudulent transactions totalling more than £34,000.
Further discrepancies were discovered in the accounts in relation to an invoice discounting facility which saw the company having to pay back over £300,000 due to Chambers’ actions.
Chambers was charged with two counts of fraud by abuse of position. She pleaded guilty at York Crown Court in May. Today (Tuesday) she returned to the court and was jailed for three years and one month.
After the hearing, DC Amy Webster Gonzalez of North Yorkshire Police said: “Chambers’ crimes caused significant financial damage to a local business with a good reputation, risked the livelihoods of other staff members, and put significant financial and emotional strain on company directors.
“She abused her position for her own selfish gain. But her dishonesty was uncovered, and the investigation has ensured she has now faced justice for her actions.”