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School finance officer who stole £86k sentenced

Google Exterior of North Kesteven Academy: A grey building with blue door surrounded by a wire mesh gate. A sign reading 'North Kesteven Academy, Think Excellence,' is mounted on below the top storey windows.Google
North Kesteven Academy launched an investigation in November 2023 after suspicions were raised

A school finance officer who stole more than £86,000, leaving pupils without vital services, has been handed an 18-month suspended jail term.

Fiona Abbott, 50, transferred the money from North Kesteven Academy in North Hykeham, Lincolnshire, to her own bank accounts and also used the school's credit card to make personal purchases such as cushions and a bathroom cabinet.

Lincoln Crown Court heard suspicions had been raised in November 2023 following an unpaid invoice to a food supplier and the nature of some of the items ordered on Amazon.

Abbott, of Scawby Crescent, Lincoln, pleaded guilty to two charges of fraud by abuse of position between May 2020 and November 2023.

The court heard the mother-of-three had transferred the cash into two of her personal bank accounts over a three-year period and made purchases of £2,123.

A victim impact statement was read out in court on behalf of the school's director of operations.

It revealed vital services such as the school's counselling service had been suspended due to a lack of funding caused by Abbott's actions.

Pupils were also prevented from taking other opportunities in sports and the performing arts.

Exterior view of Lincoln Crown Court which is a two-storey light stone Gothic style building with mullioned windows, turrets with castellations, stone arches at the front and ivy growing around the doorway and upper floor windows
Fiona Abbott was sentenced to 18 months in prison suspended for two years at Lincoln Crown Court

Passing sentence, Recorder Caroline Goodwin KC told Abbott: "This was, on any account, appalling conduct by you."

"This was offending which took place over a three-year period when you were in a position of trust, when a school relied on you to safeguard those monies which were so precious to it," the judge said.

However, Recorder Goodwin said it was important to note Abbott's previous good character, her personal circumstances and suitability for rehabilitation.

"This was offending which was completely and utterly out of character," Recorder Goodwin concluded.

Abbott was sentenced to 18 months in prison suspended for two years. She was also ordered to complete 135 hours of unpaid work and 25 rehabilitation activity requirements days.

A date is yet to be fixed for a proceeds of crime hearing, which will decide if Abbott has any assets to pay the school back.

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