Sittingbourne Woman Jailed For Work Fraud

A Sittingbourne woman has been jailed for 18 months after admitting stealing almost £200,000 from her employers over five years.

Karen Tracey Knowles, of Ferry Road in Iwade, was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court on Wednesday 13th February after pleading guilty to fraud by misrepresentation.

The court heard how Knowles, 45, systematically stole from two separate local leisure companies whilst working in their finance departments as an administrator. She made payments to her own account in the guise of making approved payments to contractors hired out by the companies. Her deception was uncovered during a routine audit of finances at one company, reported to Kent Police in June 2012. Following an extensive investigation, officers uncovered more examples of Knowles' fraudulent takings and she was charged in November of last year.

Following the sentencing, investigating officer, Detective Constable Wendy Spain of Swale Police, told SFM News that "this conviction came about as a result of painstaking work by officers in our fraud teams. Knowles committed her crimes for a number of years but this should serve a message to other people who think they can get away with stealing from their employers - sooner or later it will catch up on you and Kent Police will not hesitate to bring you to justice. Stealing, theft and fraud will not be tolerated."