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Jacqueline Fletcher also took cash meant for her mother's care.

Jacqueline Fletcher

Date - 14th August 2018
By - Ian Weinfass - Police Oracle

 

A former employee of South Yorkshire Police has been jailed for stealing £275,875 - including almost £100,000 from the force.

Jacqueline Fletcher, 48, managed money within the property store at Attercliffe Police Station in Sheffield.

In 2013, a large amount of cash was stored in the station during an investigation and Fletcher told the officer in charge that she had banked it into the force’s account.

She actually put £98,500 into her personal account and just £1,500 into the force’s.

Fletcher left the force in 2015, but her deception was uncovered in 2017 during a Proceeds of Crime Act investigation.

This led to the discovery that the she had stolen £63,548 in pension and benefit payments from the Department for Work and Pensions between October 2011 and July 2016. The benefit payments were for her mother, who was in a care home, to be used for fees and associated costs. No fees were ever paid.

She also stole money made in the sale of her mother’s home which was supposed to cover care fees.

Fletcher pleaded guilty to four counts of theft at a hearing in July.

Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Inspector Anna Sedgwick said: “While Fletcher admitted her crimes before a court last month, she has not shown any remorse for her deceitful and criminal behaviour.

“She abused the trust placed in her by the force, as well as exploiting her vulnerable elderly mother, for massive sums of money. Her conduct has been truly despicable and I am pleased she has now received a custodial sentence for her crimes.

“Despite our best efforts throughout the course of our investigation, we have not been able to recover any of the money Fletcher stole. A POCA investigation is ongoing.

“The public of South Yorkshire absolutely expect our employees to behave professionally, honestly and with integrity."

She added: “Fletcher has behaved disgracefully and I hope the public are reassured by the action taken by our officers to thoroughly investigate this matter and hold this individual to account.”

Chief Superintendent Shaun Morley, who was district commander for Sheffield at the time Fletcher’s crimes came to light, provided a victim impact statement for the courts highlighting the impact of Fletcher’s crime against the organisation.

He said: “Financially, the impact of Fletcher’s theft is significant, especially in times of austerity. To place the theft of £98,500 into context, this could pay for four newly appointed police constables for a whole year.

“The public can have every confidence that the swift and decisive action taken by our officers to investigate this matter once it was brought to our attention demonstrates our commitment to upholding the law and bringing criminals to justice, regardless of where they work or have worked previously.”

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Does she have a pension? Presumably they can take half of that off her?