Leeds online punter jailed for fraud

Compulsive online gambling was the downfall of a young Leeds, UK woman who was handed a sentence of a 20 month prison sentence, suspended for two years, and ordered her to take part in a programme designed to address her gambling habit this week in the Leeds Crown Court.

Ginnie Cassells was employed by her 57-year-old father to handle the financial side of his foam spray technology business, but she betrayed his trust in taking GBP 28,000 from his business and personal accounts to feed her penchant for online gambling, the court was told.

Her father employed her so that she could work hours better suited to looking after her young daughter, giving her a company car and a company credit card.

However, in December 2012 the father was contacted by his bank to check on discrepancies in the account, and the true extent of the losses became clearer early the following year, when he was unable to draw money whilst on a business trip.

On approaching his daughter she broke down and confessed to stealing the money from his accounts.

The thefts almost destroyed his company, but with the help of friends and associates he had been able to rebuild the business, the court heard.

Recorder Gregory Perrins gave Cassells a 20 month prison sentence, suspended for two years, and ordered her to take part in a programme designed to address her problem.

He said: “It is difficult to imagine a more complete betrayal of trust than that which you inflicted on your father.”