Self-harmer Sarah Hamflett stole thousands as cry for help

Nov 21 2009 by Garry Willey, The Journal

A WORKER stole thousands of pounds from her bosses after being unable to handle her secret eating disorder, a court heard.

Sarah Hamflett, 23, was suffering bulimia and depression when she started as an administration assistant at Newcastle-based property firm Anderson Lets. She would normally make herself ill or self-harm as a symptom of the deep-seated conditions, but wasn’t able to do either while working at the company's office in Jesmond, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

Instead Hamflett coped by embezzling more than £37,000 in a seven-week scam which brought June Anderson Talbot’s company to its knees.

“This was not an offence committed because this young woman wanted the latest phone, the latest iPod or to go out partying,” said Jane Waugh, defending. “Clearly this offence was committed because she was ill. She felt the need and drive to do it in the same way she feels the need to be ill or to cut herself. The defendant was not able to do that in the confines of her job and the relief in taking the money was a way of purging”.

Hamflett, of Beaconsfield Street in Stanley, County Durham, admitted fraud by abuse of position of trust between March and April. She was given a 51-week jail term suspended for two years.