Norwich teacher sentenced for free school meal fraud

A former assistant headteacher has been given a suspended 18-month prison sentence after admitting to a free school meals scam.

Daniel Reynolds, 36, from Sprowston, near Norwich, pleaded guilty in November to four charges of fraud.

He was found to have taken £8,520 from West Earlham Junior School in Norwich, by claiming costs for donated food.

Catrin Eyers, the school's headteacher, said it had affected trust between the school and the community.

At Norwich Magistrates' Court Reynolds was given a 10-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.

He was ordered to serve 300 hours of unpaid work, as well as participate in 10 hours of rehabilitation.

In November Reynolds pleaded guilty to three counts of fraud by deception between October 2021 and June 2022.

He also admitted a fourth charge of making or supplying documents and receipts for use in fraud.

Mrs Eyers said about half of the 240 pupils at the school were in receipt of free school meals and "one person's actions has undermined the community's trust in the school".

"The school has been doing everything in its power to rebuild that trust," she added.

West Earlham Junior School had previously told the BBC that Reynolds had been vetted before he was hired as assistant headteacher.

In his role, Reynolds was made responsible for applying for and administering a grant through Norfolk County Council as part of the government's Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme.

The scheme was first set-up in 2018 as a way of providing children with free school meals and activities over the school holidays.

During the Covid pandemic, when free school meals were in higher demand, Reynolds submitted invoices for food that had already been obtained for free.

Prosecutor Chris Youell said: "There came a point where Norfolk County Council began to think there was something not right at the school under the control of Mr Reynolds, and appointed an investigator, having carried out an audit.

"Over the relevant period [the school] received over £24,000 between summer 2021 and Easter 2022. Reynolds has admitted he misappropriated £8,520.66."

Reynolds' solicitor, David Tremain, said the crime was "highly distasteful" given Reynolds' position and that the money was intended to benefit young children.

The court heard how Reynolds was addicted to gambling and had self-excluded himself from some gambling firms.

Mr Tremain said: "[He] tried to hide from his family what was happening at work."

When sentencing Judge Anthony Bate credited Reynolds with his early guilty plea, and for self-referring himself for rehabilitation.

He added that Reynolds "must hang his head in shame".

Follow East of England news on Facebook, Instagram and X. Got a story? Email [email protected] or WhatsApp 0800 169 1830