Crime Really Does Pay…

Former deputy supervisor Louise Precious, 39, cleared out the accounts of the Market Weighton Pre-School by stealing almost £11,000.

Helped by her husband, of course.

The group, which relies on charity funding, was only saved thanks to the efforts of its trustees, who dedicated their weekends to fundraising.

Louise Precious's deceit was discovered when companies began demanding money from the group for unpaid bills.

Just ‘desperation’, ‘poverty’, or something else?

Yes, definitely something else – greed:

They used the money to pay off their debts and to "live beyond their means".

Louise Precious was seen to buy new clothes, boots and a new carpet. When she was arrested she claimed "other people" on the committee were to blame, but later admitted her guilt in court.

Of course, there’s no real punishment for either of them:

Judge Jeremy Baker QC told her: "You were given a considerable amount of trust and you abused that trust."

She was given a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, and ordered to undertake 300 hours of unpaid work.

Robert Precious was given a six-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, and ordered to do 100 hours of unpaid work.

So, we, the taxpayer, are going to be paying that, I suppose?

The organisation is looking into a civil claim to recoup the money, but by the time that has come to court, the assets will have depreciated, or been disposed of. They will never see this money again.

Why can there not be a third option, where people are made to work for the people or organisation they have cheated?