A community have spoken of their shock after finding out a neighbour helped himself to more than £14,800 from the Nottingham City Transport Social Society. Former bus driver Robert Crookes betrayed the betrayed the trust of other NCT workers when he was chairman of the social fund.
Employees of award-winning Nottingham City Transport (NCT) paid 30 pence per week from their wages into the society, which was run by employees, to pay for social events throughout the year. But dishonest Crookes betrayed their trust with the cash, transferring it to his savings account and making withdrawals for years as he hit the financial buffers and used pay day loans as his accounts ran dry every month and he went into overdraft.
Crookes, 58, of Chesterfield Avenue, Gedling, pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of position between April 1, 2016, and May 1, 2020, at NCT Bus Depot, Lower Parliament Street, Nottingham city. Crooked Crookes ultimately lost his job because of what he did.
His neighbours said they were surprised to find out about Crookes' actions. Many have described him as a "private man", who "keeps himself to himself".
The news shocked the community living on Chesterfield Avenue, including Rasa Kraujaliene, who said: "I am very shocked. I do not have friends and I do not speak to any neighbours here."
The 53-year-old, who is self-employed, added: "It is shocking. I always thought this area is nice."
Melinda Ondo, a carer in the area, 25, went on and said: "It is wrong. He has to pay for what he did.
Crookes was served a 18-month prison sentence, suspended for two years. The court heard the he had started to repay the cash, leaving him with the rest of £3,316 to be paid to NCT in full within the next 28 days.
Mum of one Katie Smith, 27, added: "I am just completely shocked. It is just something that you never expect to go on right on your street."
Another neighbour, who wished not to be named, added: "It is surprising. I would not say I am shocked because there are probably worse things going on this street. It is not nice. We never suspected anything - why would we?
After the hearing on Monday (May 9), Anthony Carver-Smith, NCT Head of Marketing said, “The Social Society supports leisure, entertainment and activities for our colleagues to enjoy and relax outside of their work, such as the annual Christmas Party and family day trips by coach. The sentence and Mr Crookes repaying the final monies owed back to the Society brings this matter to a satisfactory close and will allow us to organise further activities for his former colleagues, who have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic”.
Nottinghamshire Live attempted to speak to Robert Crookes.
