A mother of three from Middleton has narrowly escaped a prison sentence this week after being found guilty of stealing £12,000 from her employers that was used to finance her online bingo addiction.
Kelly Dunn, a former manager at a card factory shop, pleaded guilty to the theft of £12,000 at an earlier hearing. The money stolen, was supposed to have been deposited in the bank on her way home from work, but instead was used to finance her online bingo gaming.
The court heard how Dunn had become increasingly addicted to the game after a substantial win.
Prosecuting lawyers explained how the events came about by saying: “The company operates a policy where no more than £3,000 can be held in the tills overnight. Staff were asked to pay money into the bank. Between that period, £12,000 was taken by the defendant. When this was discovered by the organisation, she freely admitted taking the money.”
Lawyers representing Dunn said she had developed a 'chronic gambling problem' but had failed to accept at the time that bingo was gambling. She had a substantial win when she started playing and that has prompted her to continue, believing she would keep winning. She is deeply remorseful for her actions and very sorry to her employers.”
Recorder Maurice Greene, sentencing Dunn, said: “You're a woman of good character who got involved in bingo and gambling and you needed money to do that. It wasn't a case of needs, but because of a lifestyle choice you made and couldn't control.”
Dunn, was given an eight-month prison term, suspended for one year, and ordered to do 150 hours of unpaid work.
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