Payroll manager steals GBP 350,000 from Red Cross charity

Mary Booth (56) appeared in the Paisley Sheriff’s Court this week to plead guilty to the theft of GBP 359,551.27 from the Red Cross charity, her employer for the past 34 years.

Evidence was led that Booth in her capacity as payroll manager embezzled the money from Paisley and London offices of the charity under the guise of sending money to former delegates and staff, but which went to her own bank accounts.

The offences occurred between November 2008 and August 2015, when the fraud was discovered the charity’s Head of Control and Compliance after Booth had retired on a full Red Cross pension.

Booth admitted that she took the money to fund an online gambling habit that was out of control; she now awaits sentencing, and may have to sell her home in order to pay back the money.

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