The charity treasurer tried to conceal her crimes by sharing false information about the accounts with committee members
A charity treasurer fraudulently took more than £26,000 in primary school funds and reported false accounts in a bid to hide her crimes. Stephanie Delaney, 38, became treasurer of a registered charity responsible for organising events and fundraising on behalf of St Helen’s Primary School, in Bluntisham, in September 2020.
It made her responsible for paying invoices for equipment hire and supplies for events and looking after the general finances. In June 2023, committee members noticed outgoing transactions from their account to Delaney’s and to a Somersham Carnival account.
Delaney had been treasurer since 2017 and following these concerns, the police were contacted. Investigations revealed that between February 2019 and January 2024, Delaney had made transactions and cash withdrawals from the Somersham Carnival Committee account and the Friends of St Helen’s Primary School (FOSH) account for her own personal use without the consent or approval of the committee.
She tried to conceal her crimes by sharing false information about the accounts with fellow committee members. In total, more than £26,000 from both organisations were taken. When questioned by police, she initially tried to claim she had become confused when transferring funds for various events between the charity accounts and her own.
However, she later pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud by abuse of position and false accounting. Delaney, of Homestead, Somersham, Huntingdon, was sentenced to 18 months in prison, suspended for 24 months, at Huntingdon Law Courts on Thursday, May 7.
Detective Constable Rachel Brown, who investigated, said: “Delaney’s dishonesty and fraudulent actions are nothing short of shocking. To deprive local charities and committees out of funds designed to help their local communities, including children, is despicable.
“Fraud is a priority area for the force and we will do everything in our power to bring offenders before the courts.”





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