Security firm payroll manager jailed for stealing more than £50,000 from company

Allison Thorogood admitted theft and fraud while working at Oakpark Security Systems in Colchester.

Thorogood, 44, of Jays Lane, Marks Tey, worked at the firm, in East Street, between September 2011 and August 2014.

She gave herself bonuses and almost put the firm out of business.

Thorogood transferred about £17,000 to her own bank account.

She also spent more than £30,000 on the company credit card for food, to help her family but mainly withdrawing cash to fund her drug habit.

Thorogood admitted one count of theft and one count of fraud on September 6 and was sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court yesterday.

Laura Kenyon, prosecuting, told the court Thorogood resigned in 2014 and her replacement raised concerns.

Ms Kenyon said: “This was an abuse of a position of trust over a sustained period of time.”

In total she took £52,337, but Thorogood also paid in about £5,000 during her theft spree.

Oakpark Security Systems had to take out a loan to cope with the theft and fraud.

It is unlikely to be able to recover the money as Thorogood has none left.

Thorogood admitted what she had done when arrested and then when she appeared at court.

Sarah Steggles, mitigating, said Thorogood had had “a normal life of respectability, a family and work ethic” but mental health issues and a drug addiction had led to this conviction.

Recorder Philip Brook Smith QC, sentencing, said: “You were a trusted employee .

“You abused that trust to feather your own nest.

“Your employer was placed in significant financial difficult on account of your actions, having various difficulties with regards to paying VAT and not least needing a substantial loan in order to maintain the business operation of the company.

“I recognise you have no previous convictions and have expressed considerable remorse,”

Thorogood was jailed for two-and-a-half years for each count, to run at the same time.

No-one at Oakpark was available to comment yesterday.