Former Knodishall Playgroup treasurer sentenced for £17k fraud

Gemma Pearse stole £17,000 from Knodishall Playgroup by embezzling transfers and falsifying accounts

A former playgroup treasurer was sentenced for fraud offences totalling £17,000.

Gemma Pearse, 33, of Porters Field in Braintree, Essex, pleaded guilty to embezzling cash and bank transfers, and falsifying accounts, while she worked at Knodishall Playgroup near Saxmundham, Suffolk.

She was given a 16-month suspended sentence at Ipswich Crown Court.

Det Con Ed Vincent said: "Her selfish actions caused widespread distress."

'Dissatisfaction'

Pearse began working at the playgroup in January 2017 and the offences took place throughout five years of employment, until she resigned in February 2022.

She was arrested in May 2022 and subsequently convicted of fraud by abuse of position.

The court heard that there was an "undercurrent of dissatisfaction" with her performance, said Suffolk Police.

Her lack of attendance at committee meetings and insufficient quarterly reports were also noted.

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Det Con Vincent continued: "Over the course of four years, the monies taken by Pearse could have been put to good use improving the venue and updating equipment that was used there, benefiting the community and enriching the time that the children could have spent there."

Pearse was also ordered to completed 200-hours of unpaid community work.