Evil fraudster stole £35k from work as staff 'laid off because of her'

An evil fraudster, who stole more than £35,000 from her workplace leading to members of staff being laid off, has been spared jail.

Sarah Cunningham, 41, left a "trail of destruction" at her Manchester workplace according to the business's owner Aria Taheri, who said he had to sell his business at a loss following her crimes.

Cunningham had been employed for just four weeks as an assistant accountant at Velo Systems when she took her first lump of cash, transferring it from the company account into another account she had set up.

Her thefts meant that at least five people had to be made redundant.

Five minutes after being asked about the missing money by another accountant, Cunningham said her mum had been "rushed into hospital after suffering a stroke" and said she had to leave work.

The judge at her Manchester Crown Court sentencing said her actions were motivated in part by "greed", but allowed her to walk free after the court heard she is currently receiving treatment for cervical cancer.

Robin Kitching prosecuting said it was used as an "escape" while the business looked into her actions.

The court heard that Cunningham began working for the east Manchester firm on April 5, 2019, and had access to the company's banking system, but could not make payments without prior approval in her role.

Mr Kitching said Cunningham set up an account which had a similar name to another company which Velo Systems worked with.

Her first payment saw her move £4,550 of company money into the fraudulent account before she made a further eight payments across six days, with the final payment being made on May 20, 2019.

By the time she was finished, she had taken a total of £35,810.10.

The court heard how the company accountant contacted the company with a similar name, which Cunningham had based her fake account on, before reporting the issue to the bank's fraud department and police when they discovered it was not legitimate.

Police arrested Cunningham soon after and discovered a series of new, expensive items at her home, Mr Kitching said.

The court heard how Cunningham also transferred thousands of pounds to relatives, sending £24,555.08 to her mum, £7,700 to her dad and £2,030 to her sister.

Cunningham gave 'no comment' to police during her interview.

Appearing in court, Mr Taheri described the repercussions of Cunningham's actions as "nothing short of devastating", and "wreaking havoc on the lives of numerous employees".

Mr Taheri said her actions had impacted his mental health after he had put £50,000 into the business in a bid to save it.

He said: "The weeks that ensued were filled with sleepless nights and the need for therapy to address the turmoil that consumed me."

Cunningham, of Roecar Close, Chesterfield, but previously of Manchester, pleaded guilty to theft by employee at a previous court hearing. She had two previous convictions.

Defending, Brendan O'Leary told the court his client expressed "genuine remorse" for her actions. He explained that Cunningham, who has two children aged 14 and five, has "reassessed her position" since 2019.

Mr O'Leary added that Cunningham was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2021 and is undergoing chemotherapy, with her health being a key reason why the case had taken so long to get to sentence.

Judge Elizabeth Nicholls said Cunningham's actions passed the threshold for immediate custody, but said her health meant the case "cries out for a suspended sentence".

Cunningham was sentenced to 22 months in prison, suspended for two years, with 15 days' rehabilitation activity and a three-month curfew by electronic tag. A Proceeds of Crime Act hearing is expected on April 12 next year to determine how the stolen funds can be recovered.