England

Forces charity volunteer jailed for stealing £53,600

Staff at forces charity SSAFA have spoken of their shock after a colleague was jailed for stealing more than £50,000. Angela Knowles was convicted of fraud, for taking the money from the charity’s accounts while volunteering at its Greater Manchester branch.

Angela Knowles was in charge of cash for branches in four local divisions of the charity.

Manchester Crown court heard she siphoned money from SSAFA’s accounts from 2003 until 2007, by paying herself 82 cheques worth a total of £53,600. She admitted fraud and obtaining money by deception.

Her crime has prompted an angry reaction. The father of a serviceman, from Wigan, killed in Iraq has branded it “personal greed,” and said she should have been given “fifty lashes”.

In a statement, SSAFA said:
“Everyone connected with SSAFA Forces Help is shocked and very sad that someone would defraud the charity, particularly someone who was in a position of trust.”

“Although the sums of money in this case were considerable, we have been able to ensure that no individuals suffered directly as a result of Angela Knowles’ actions.”

Angela Knowles has been sentenced to a year and a half in prison, her lawyer told the court she’s paid back around a third of the money.