Self-harmer Sarah Hamflett stole thousands as cry for help

Nov 21 2009 by Garry Willey, The Journal

Investigators recovered £24,675 of the stolen cash still in Hamflett’s own bank accounts and she was ordered to repay that to Mrs Anderson Talbot. The rest had been spent.

Judge Esmond Faulks said he accepted the fraud had been a devastating blow to Mrs Anderson Talbot, who was forced to take out loans, lay off a member of staff and was left suffering from stress.

But after reading psychiatric reports, Judge Faulks said: “This is a wholly exceptional case.

“Extraordinarily, you satisfied your mental health problems by taking your employer’s money, in effect – the psychiatrist says – a desperate cry for help.”

Hamflett took the cash by making out three cheques intended for landlords to herself and raiding the firm’s internet bank account, the court heard.