2:00pm Thursday 11th March 2010
By Echo Business
A BANK manager stole more than £140,000 from customer accounts to prop her husband’s ailing landscape gardening business.
Now Christine Dunford has lost her job and home, is facing bankruptcy and has started a 20 month prison sentence. Dunford, 53, admitted three charges of theft and asked for eight others from 2005-08 to be considered while in charge of the Alliance & Leicester branch in Above Bar, Southampton.
Prosecutor Edward Phillips said she had worked for the company for more than 30 years and because of her reputation and level of respect, had acted as a regional manager.
Her deceit was discovered when an 81-year-old woman discovered £5,000 had been withdrawn from her bond.
Mr Phillips told the city crown court further enquiries revealed other withdrawals from clients accounts, and on occasions to cover the transactions, she had switched cash from one account into a second from which she took the money.
In mitigation, Charles Cochand said Dunford had not been motivated by greed or high living but had made a short term attempt to save her husband’s business.
He said: “She has lost her job, her good character and respect and any hope of an easy retirement. She has shown genuine remorse and has assisted the police as much as possible.’’ Sentencing, Judge Christopher Leigh QC told Dunford, of Merryl Lane, Godshill, Isle of Wight, she had abused her position.
The court heard the money would be recovered from her retirement pension.
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