Bingo IOU Spirals Out of Control

Helen Walker the boss of Buckingham Bingo in Yoden Way was recently sentenced to 15 months in jail for stealing ₤31,000 from the bingo club safe. She was also found guilty of fraudulently cashing ₤500 worth of vouchers that was supposed to be intended for customers.

This is pretty shocking really, but not surprising, when one member of staff has access to large amounts of cash without a second staff member checking on them.

Apparently her debts were out of control and she borrowed the money from the safe, leaving an IOU in return. She had been employed by the bingo club for five years. The thirty-nine year old woman was defended by Jane Waugh who told the courts that it was acceptable behaviour for staff members of the bingo club to borrow cash from the safe and leave an IOU note on an envelope in the safe.

She also said that the theft was due to the fact that Helen’s relationship had broken down and the same-sex couple has a nineteen month old daughter whom she only saw on weekends. A pretty feeble defence in my opinion, it is not surprising that the judge didn’t listen and sentenced her to jail.