A former school manager must repay £380,000 after stealing funds from Hinchley Wood Primary School in Surrey over several years
She had access to the school’s bank accounts and managed funds for the breakfast and after-school clubs. Between 2011 and 2018, she stole over £490,000.
Poole even changed her own pay scale to pocket more money. In 2009, she raised her salary from level E to level F. Then, in 2011, she bumped it up again.
In April 2023, she was sentenced to six and a half years in prison. She was found guilty of multiple fraud charges after a trial at Kingston Crown Court.
The court revealed that her total criminal benefit was over £700,000. They decided she should repay £380,884.28, which includes selling her house.
If she doesn’t pay up in three months, she could face an additional prison sentence. Detective Inspector Charley Bryant emphasized that they will pursue those who benefit from crime.
Poole’s actions funded a lavish lifestyle, including luxury holidays and cars. Thankfully, the school caught on and reported her, leading to a thorough investigation.
This case serves as a warning: committing fraud can lead to serious consequences, including losing everything you have.
