BREAKING: The Gateshead Access Panel, a vital charity supporting disabled individuals and their caregivers, has shut down after its finance officer embezzled a staggering £120,557.98 ($162,884) to fund a gambling addiction. The shocking revelations emerged during a court hearing at Newcastle Crown Court.
This urgent situation unfolded as S.H., a 40-year-old from Chester-le-Street, County Durham, was found to have been stealing funds since 2016. Initially hired in 2011, S.H. quickly took on responsibilities involving payroll and accounts. By 2016, suspicions arose when £32,323 ($43,664) was discovered missing, prompting charity leaders to give him a second chance, hoping he could recover from his issues.
However, in June 2017, the charity faced a crisis when it lacked funds to pay caregivers. S.H. initially blamed a banking issue but later admitted to failing to bill clients. A month later, similar financial discrepancies were reported. Despite being stripped of direct access to the accounts, S.H. found a way to continue his theft, even gambling during work hours.
On August 17, 2018, amid fears of exposure, S.H. walked into Whickham Police Station and confessed to the theft. By that time, he had drained the charity’s resources and left many caregivers and disabled individuals in dire financial straits. The charity’s manager stated the theft “decimated” operations, leading to its collapse in 2018.
In court, S.H. was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and compulsive gambling disorder, which Judge Robert Adams described as “appalling.” He expressed disbelief that S.H. wasn’t immediately removed from his position upon the initial discovery of missing funds.
Ultimately, S.H. received an 18-month suspended prison sentence, along with a mandate to complete 150 hours of unpaid community service. A separate hearing will soon determine how much of the stolen money he must repay.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities charities face and the devastating impact of financial misconduct on community support systems. As investigations continue, the fallout from this incident will ripple through the Gateshead community and beyond, affecting countless lives.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
