CONVICTED FRAUDSTER CHARITIES BENEFIT FROM MONEY RAISED AT BONFIRE EVENT

Hailsham Bonfire Society has presented cash boosts to two chosen charities with money that was raised at the town’s annual bonfire celebrations.

HBS President, Rose Pickett, presented the cheque to St Wilfrids Hospice, and Corporate Community Fundraiser Debbie Elliott and Community Fundraiser Michele Mitchell were at the presentation to

The Society’s ‘Captain of bucket collections’, Adrian Woodford, also presented a cheque to members of the Blue Van Ex Forces Veterans’

Both received £608, which was donated by members of the public during the Hailsham Bonfire Society celebration night on the 21st position offences. information.

The investigation found Gardner had stolen from HMI and made fraudulent claims against the club. These included falsifying her employment contracts to pay herself a higher salary, giving herself pay rises without authorisation, withholding payments to HMRC, false accounting and laundering £26,000 of the stolen money out of the country to India.

She was found not guilty of three charges — two counts of fraud by abuse of position; and one count of theft.

Hailsham News approached Gardner for a comment as she left a local restaurant ahead of her sentencing, which was refused. The result of her sentencing can be found at https://hailsham.news

Chairman Dave Chapman said: “We would like to say a big thank you to the public for their generous donations allowing us to support these two good causes.”

The presentation took place at The Crown Hotel, Hailsham, on Monday 27th November