Headteacher defrauded employer by claiming 65 John Lewis gift cards as expenses
A former headteacher who defrauded her school by claiming 65 John Lewis gift cards as expenses has been spared jail.
Hillary French's distinguished career ended in disgrace after she also submitted false expense claims for vouchers and meals.
A court heard the 67-year-old woman, a highly-regarded headteacher at the independent Newcastle High School for Girls, in the posh Jesmond area of the city, used the items for personal benefit despite claiming they were bought to give as presents to staff members, rewards for students and for high-profile guest speakers.
French's fraud lasted nearly two years and, even when she was arrested, the teacher denied abusing her position or behaving in a dishonest way.
However, she eventually pleaded guilty to three counts of fraud by abuse of position, and was sentenced to six months suspended for 12 months with 150 hours unpaid work at Newcastle Crown Court this week.
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The defendant admitted fraud by abuse of position but was spared jail (Northumbria Police)Sentencing the pensioner, Recorder David Brooke KC said: "This is a very sad case. You were headmistress from 2006 after a very long and distinguished career as a teacher. While in that role you committed the three offences of fraud, dishonestly claiming expenses through gift cards, meals and a false claim of theft.
"In the pre-sentence report you express remorse and say you are unable to say why you committed the offences. There were no financial difficulties.
"This was persistent, deliberate, dishonest conduct on a number of occasions."
French's career in education spanned more than four decades, Chronicle Live reports. In the final two years though, ending in around April 2018, French secured dozens of John Lewis gift cards, amounting to £2,970, for her own personal spend.
It was said French's actions were 'entirely dishonest' (ChronicleLive)The second count relates to the aftermath of a hockey trip to Bath in April 2017. It had been announced French would be leaving the school at the end of the term and Liam O'Brien, prosecuting, said: "There had been some issues at the school which led to that decision. There was a degree of acrimony.
"She didn't have any real role with the hockey team but said she would go on the trip to make the most of the time she had left as headteacher. She travelled to Bath but not with the students and played no part in the hockey trip.
"When she returned, she submitted expenses for £222 for a series of meals she claimed to have had with former students who were studying at Bath University or other universities nearby. That was entirely dishonest.
"The girls said the last time the had seen her was when they left school. By pure chance, a staff member who had seen a claim had bumped into one of the girls she claimed to have had lunch with in Bath, while the girl was on a trip to Newcastle on the weekend she was on the trip. That's how it came to light."
The third charge related to a Sweaty Betty coat which French claimed had been stolen from the office at school. She tried to claim on the school's insurance but was told this would not be possible due to excesses and other matters and she later submitted an expenses claim for £295.
Mr O'Brien said: "The coat was never stolen. It was recovered by the police from the boot of her car when it was searched after allegations were made to the police."
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When French was interviewed by police, she denied abusing her position or behaving in a dishonest way and claimed, at most, there must have been carelessness.
But Mr O'Brien said: "She used her position of power, trust and responsibility and carried out fraudulent actions over a sustained period of time." Prosecutors are seeking an order under the Proceeds of Crime Act, although she has already paid back around £3,000."
The case was heard at Newcastle Crown Court, in the city where the school is (NCJ Media)In a business impact statement, the school said French had been a "highly regarded member of the educational community" and said her actions had "undermined the significant trust pupils, staff, parents and donors had placed in her and the repercussions have been far-reaching". It added that French's actions had undermined the reputation and integrity of the school.
The defendant, who is from Durham, felt "crushed" by the delays in the case and lost her husband earlier this year.
Andrew Walker, defending, said: "She had a long and distinguished career in education. She has supported many young people and their families and helped them on their career path and life path.
"Four-and-a-half years is a very long time to wake up every day not knowing what action, if any, will be taken."
Mr Walker questioned the reputational damage to the school, who wrote to parents telling them French had been dismissed and that the matter had been referred to police, at the beginning of the case. He said the school has an "excellent reputation".
He also said there were so many references for French he had to select which ones to hand into the court due to their volume and said they spoke of her "warmth, kindness and inspiration". He also said she had been "highly competent, highly motivated and exceptionally hard-working".
Mr Walker also said French is an "intrinsically decent person", adding that what happened was a "total aberration" on her part. He said she has not read the references yet and he has suggested she does so.
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