A Stockport legal clerk and her husband have been jailed after more than £300,000 was syphoned from a solicitors firm.

Rachel Swettenham aged 54of Sefton Terrace, Deganwy, Conwy pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of position at an earlier hearing. She was sentenced to four years in prison.

Roger Swettenham aged 55 of Penlan, Llandudno, Conwy pleaded guilty to money laundering at an earlier hearing. He was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years, and ordered to carry out 200 hours unpaid work.

The court heard how between May 2012 and August 2014, Rachel Swettenham stole money from the company she worked for, as a Legal Clerk. She directly transferred funds to her personal bank account, to her husband, Roger Swettenham’s account, and to other clients.

In total, 24, of her clients had funds misappropriated by Swettenham during this time period, and the total loss was £316,162.81.The money was used for deposits for the purchase of two houses, a boat, cars, furniture, and to pay credit cards.

The fraud came to light during a review of her employment and conduct, and a civil search order executed at their home address by her employers. The Swettenhams were later questioned by police and arrested.

The solicitors firm has refunded all of the money stolen from clients.

Detective Constable Katherine Perry of GMP’s Fraud Investigation Team said: “Rachel Swettenham was a long-standing employee at this firm where she worked for 30 years, but she brazenly abused her position of trust, to satisfy her greed.

“All of the clients trusted her to act in their best interests at a time in their lives where they were most vulnerable. The solicitors firm promptly made sure that all who have been wronged by Swettenham’s repugnant behaviour were repaid and all of her work was reviewed.

“She managed to hide her crimes and paid no heed to how these losses would affect her clients or her employer. Roger Swettenham played his part too by allowing his account to be used as part of this and using the money to fund their lifestyle.

“I hope today’s result makes it clear that if you line your pockets with money that isn’t yours, you will eventually be caught, and could end up behind bars.”

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here