A corrupt business manager defrauded a primary school out of nearly £120,000 during an appalling breach of trust.
Joanne Anderson had worked at Fulwell Junior School, in Sunderland, for around 20 years and was responsible for managing the financial budget. However, between 2017 and 2021, the 51-year-old forged the signatures of the head teacher, deputy head and assistant head on at least 409 cheques, which were made payable to herself, prosecutors said.
To cover her tracks, Anderson then forged documents at subsequent audits to ensure her deceit remained a secret. However, in 2021, an auditor noticed a discrepancy and Anderson's web of lies began to unravel, prompting her to confess, Newcastle Crown Court was told.
