A major college disco was cancelled and pupils missed out on occasions after a trusted PTA treasurer swindled hundreds over 5 years — spending it on streaming subscriptions and video games.
A mum broke down in tears in court docket after admitting to stealing £10,000 from a major college’s fundraising committee—money which was meant to pay for discos, college journeys, and summer time festivals.
Nicola Kennerley, 49, secretly siphoned off hundreds of kilos whereas serving as treasurer for the parent-teacher affiliation (PTA) at Holy Household Catholic Major College in Halewood, Merseyside, over a five-year interval.
The funds, raised by mother and father and volunteers for pupils’ occasions and gear, have been as a substitute utilized by Kennerley to pay for Amazon Prime, Xbox subscriptions, and on a regular basis bills. The fraud left the PTA unable to carry deliberate actions, together with college discos, and denied pupils useful experiences.
Showing at Liverpool Crown Court docket on Monday, Kennerley, of Fields Finish in Huyton, wept as she was sentenced to 14 months in jail, suspended for 18 months . She was additionally ordered to finish 150 hours of unpaid work and 15 days of rehabilitation exercise, stories LiverpoolEcho.
Kennerley’s betrayal devastated her fellow PTA members, who have been left to choose up the items after discovering the lacking funds. One former co-chair, Heidi Inexperienced, mentioned she felt “overwhelmed, disillusioned, betrayed, heartbroken and upset.”
In a robust assertion learn to the court docket, Ms Inexperienced mentioned: “I put my belief in Nicola as a good friend. The actual victims are the youngsters of Holy Household Major College.
“It makes me angrier the extra I give it some thought. I don’t suppose I’ll ever perceive why you probably did what you probably did.”
Suspicion was first raised in April 2024, when Kennerley introduced she was stepping down as treasurer and claimed there have been “no funds left” for the yr. However the incoming treasurer believed round £1,800 ought to have remained.
Kennerley, who labored as a mortgage advisor at Barclays, recommended closing the PTA’s checking account and opening a brand new one—claiming difficulties altering signatories. She then repaid £1,720, cash she admitted borrowing from her father.
It wasn’t till later within the yr, when financial institution statements have been lastly handed over, that the complete scale of the theft was revealed.
Throughout police interviews, Kennerley mentioned she had been in an abusive relationship and turned to alcohol to manage. She claimed she had at all times supposed to repay the cash and had used a few of it for important bills like petrol and groceries.
Her defence solicitor, Andrew McInnes, mentioned: “She faces the court docket with comprehensible disgrace and trepidation. She has misplaced her good identify, her job, and lots of mates.
“This was out of character. She has taken steps to deal with her alcohol points and has secured work as a cleaner. Her major concern now could be her three youngsters, who depend on her.”
Kennerley, who has no earlier convictions, admitted one depend of fraud by abuse of place .
Sentencing her, Recorder Nicholas Flanagan mentioned the crime had “a major influence on the youngsters,” including: “Outwardly, you have been volunteering as a trustee, however behind the scenes, you have been siphoning off cash to your personal use. This was a extreme abuse of belief that befell over plenty of years.
“You’ve proven some regret, and there are indicators of constructive change. Given your caring obligations, earlier good character, and the steps you will have taken since, I’m simply persuaded that the sentence might be suspended.”
Kennerley may face a confiscation listening to below the Proceeds of Crime Act , scheduled for later this yr.
