Thieving charity boss loses 'job, friends and good character' - but avoids jail

Jane Harding arriving at North Staffordshire Justice Centre.
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


A thieving charity boss stole cash intended for struggling carers to spend on a TV, expensive face cream and school uniforms. Jane Harding also bought a new barbecue after helping herself to £945.55 from the petty cash at North Staffs Carers Association during lockdown.

Now the 56-year-old has lost her 'job, friendships and good character' - but has avoided being sent to jail. North Staffordshire Justice Centre heard managers at the charity, which provides help and respite to young and adult carers, became aware of discrepancies and irregularities in the petty cash.

Prosecutor Shakeel Ahmed said: "Following an investigation it transpired that the defendant had been using monies belonging to the charity for her own personal gain. The total benefit was £945.55.

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"There was the purchase of a television from PC World, a purchase of serum cream from Boots, school uniforms, shopping at Dunelm and B&Q. All the items were purchased using the petty cash from the charitable organisation. All the items were to fund her own lifestyle."

In a victim impact statement, Julie Hammersley, chief executive officer of North Staffs Carers' Association, said she feels Harding used the charity to fund her own lifestyle. She said: "I truly feel let down by what she has done. She has destroyed our friendship. She let the charity down.

"I have not slept properly since finding out what Jane has done. It upsets me. For all the years I have known her I would not think she would do something like this."

Harding, of George Steel Avenue, Bucknall, pleaded guilty to theft by employee on the day of her trial.

North Staffs Carers Association chief executive Jane Harding celebrating with mascot Snuggles in 2016
North Staffs Carers Association chief executive Jane Harding celebrating with mascot Snuggles in 2016

Joanne Corbett, mitigating, said to say Harding was 'funding a lifestyle' was 'over-egging the pudding'. Miss Corbett said: "She was in charge of North Staffs Carers Association at the time. The offences were committed during the lockdown period.

"She was left to run it herself with very little support from those above her. The buck stopped with her. She was in charge of everything. She was told to come up with a plan, either an exit strategy for the charity or come up with a plan to keep it running.

"She was given permission to use the charity's credit card to buy items for the charity. These items were purchased. She would buy items for herself. Normally she would highlight them and they would be removed from the expenses. Because of the extra workload, it was an oversight on her part.

"She took the whole amount from the petty cash. There was no element of pre-planning.

"It was an oversight on her part, which she has accepted. The television and barbecue were purchased. The intention was to raffle them off. They were stored in her house with a view to them being used in a raffle. She has lost her job, friendships were lost, she has lost her good character."

Jane Harding pictured in 2010.
Former North Staffs Carers Association chief executive Jane Harding. She is pictured in 2010.

Miss Corbett said Harding has since secured a job at Stone Community Hub but there was a backlash on social media, which has impacted on her mental health. She has resigned from her post and will have no income from Wednesday (September 18).

Miss Corbett added: "She took her eye off the ball. There was no degree of planning. She was swimming against the tide to keep the charity afloat. It was not for personal gain. It was negligence on how she kept accounts. She feels she has let herself down and the charity down."

Magistrates sentenced Harding to 23 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months. She was ordered to pay £945.55 compensation, £300 costs and a £154 surcharge.

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