Bookie Manager Steals £10,000
7th November, 2007
Edith Urwin, the manager of a William Hill betting shop in Sunderland, stole £10,400 in cheques belonging to the company, and used the lot to fund her own gambling addiction. She stole the money over a period of 16 days last December the Newcastle Crown Court heard, and walked away with just £800 in winnings.
The court heard how the mother-of-three was caught when a routine audit revealed £10,400-worth of company cheques were missing.
When confrontent, Urwin immediately confessed her guilt, admitting theft. Defence barrister Stephen Thornton told the court: "This was 16 days of complete and utter madness. She felt she could drag herself out of a hole. She tried to use gambling to get out of gambling detbts and spiralled downwards. He told that court that Urwin has sought help for her gambling and debt problems. She has never been in trouble before.
Judge Michael Cartlidge sentenced her to six months imprisonment suspended for two years with supervision for two years and unpaid work for 100 hours. He told her: "Your betting was not succesful, you only made profit of some £800 out of all those bets you made using the £10,400. You were in a trusted position, you were the manageress."
Prosecutors have started proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act to see if Urwin has any realisable assets which may be seized. She will be back in court on January 7 after investigations have taken place.
