HMRC worker who STOLE £200k of taxpayers' cash to pay mortgage could avoid jail by selling house
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GB NEWS
An HMRC worker who stole nearly £200,000 of taxpayers' money has been told she could avoid prison if she sells her house.
Joanne Connell, 37, embezzled the funds while working at a government department in East Kilbride, Lanarkshire.
The former tax office employee diverted the stolen money to pay off her mortgage and clear debts during a year-long fraud scheme.
She has now admitted to the embezzlement charges at Hamilton Sheriff Court.
The former tax office employee diverted the stolen money to pay off her mortgage, Hamilton Sheriff Court found
PA
Connell had used members of the public's details to create fake credit notes, transferring the money directly into her own bank account.
Her campaign of fraud continued even while working from home on a work-issued laptop, and during periods when she was off sick with meningitis and a brain bleed.
An investigation revealed she had used £100,000 of the stolen funds to clear her debts, while directing £80,000 towards her mortgage payments.
The scheme, which ran between April 2022 and April 2023, also saw Connell giving portions of the stolen money to her aunt and a neighbour.
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Connell had used members of the public's details to create fake credit notes
PA
In court, Sheriff John Hamilton KC called the fraud "sophisticated and persistent" - but indicated Connell could avoid jail by paying back a significant portion of the stolen funds.
The court heard Connell has offered to sell both her house and car to raise approximately £130,000 in restitution.
"If she came back before the court and said I have paid back as much as I could it would likely avoid her going to jail," Sheriff Hamilton said.
Defence lawyer Abby Russell told the court her client had "made enquiries about selling the car and about the value of her house" but had not yet listed the property.
'Joanne Connell abused her knowledge of the tax system to commit this fraud,' HMRC said
GETTYThe case has been continued until next month to explore this possibility.
The court was told Connell's property is valued at £123,766, with just £6,000 left to pay on the mortgage.
While initially accused of stealing £291,499, Connell pleaded guilty to the lesser amount of approximately £200,000.
Prosecutors have initiated confiscation proceedings to recover the stolen funds.
An HMRC spokesman said: "Joanne Connell abused her knowledge of the tax system to commit this fraud and was dismissed from HMRC in July 2023 following an investigation by our Anti-Corruption Unit."
"We are absolutely committed to the highest level of integrity and will track down the tiny minority who let us all down by falling short of those standards."
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