A book-keeper at a Mayfair agency has been jailed for four years after being found guilty of stealing no less than £2m to launch a property business in Africa.
Mirriam Clark, 47, spent some of the money - stolen from Dowley Turner Real Estate's office in Bond Street - on first class international air flights and private education for her children, as well as buying properties in her native Zambia and across England and Wales.
Southwark Crown Court has head that only £295,000 has been recovered by Clark's former employers.
This fraud was carried out over a three-and-a-half year period while the defendant was the book keeper for the property and real estate consultancy firm. The partners at the business had both known the defendant for 15 years, she having previously worked for the previous incarnation of the firm between 1995 and 2006 the court heard from prosecutor Charles Pentangeli.
She confessed to the thefts, which began in late 2009, after being sacked for work-related reasons in March last year.
The court heard that even if Clark's properties are sold and the proceeds returned to DTRE, the firm may still be short of £700,000 as a result of the fraud.
Comments
How on earth could this have gone unnoticed - lesson to all owners , always check your office and client account ensure its reconciled correctly - ask for a monthly cash movement itemising money in and out so you can spot anomalies straight away !
Never be complacent about money