Lying Pontefract woman splashed out on VIP Wimbledon trip after fleecing two firms
Judge labelled her a “very dishonest woman”
A woman with a history of fraud stole tens of thousands of pounds from two companies, splashing the ill-gotten gains on a life of luxury.
Louise Lewis was fired from one job for siphoning cash, then walked into another job and continued to steal.
The 56-year-old avoided custody at Leeds Crown Court this week, despite having been previously jailed for fraud in 2007.
It was heard that Lewis, of Pontefract Road, Ackworth, had worked at Yesss Electrical between 2016 and 2018.
Judge Tom Bayliss KC said she “took advantage of flaws in the system” in claiming expenses, directing cash to herself.
It was heard that she took £12,835 from her employers, then an additional £58,000. Lewis admitted to taking around £33,000, the court heard.
Having been sacked by the company, she then got a role with Fox’s Biscuits.
Judge Bayliss commented: “How you managed to get these job is beyond me given the dishonest woman you are.”
She then stole £22,000 from Fox’s, of which she eventually admitted taking £17,000.
Lewis denied wrongdoing initially, and even went as far as claiming she was pressured into stealing the cash.
But Judge Bayliss rejected the claims and labelled them to be “fanciful”, a “cock and bull story” and a “catalogue of lies”.
She spent the money on “high living”, including a hospitality package to watch the tennis at Wimbledon.
She eventually pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud by false representation.
The court heard she had since landed a new job as an executive assistant, and said her employers were aware of her past, although Judge Bayliss told her: “You probably spun them the same story you spun me.”
Mitigating, Erin Kitson-Parker said Lewis had not offended since and if she were jailed, it would affect her husband and adult daughter who live at home.
Judge Bayliss told Lewis: “You prevaricated for years and eventually pleaded guilty.
“Your offending is aggravated by your previous convictions, particularly your conviction for fraud for which you were sent to prison.
“It didn’t stop you, within a decade you were at it again.
“You are a very dishonest woman. You seem adept at pulling the wool over people’s eyes.”
He gave her a 32-month sentence, suspended for three years, and ordered her to carry out 300 hours of unpaid work.
He warned her: “If you put your hands in the till again you will go to prison.”