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	Woman Admits Taking ?55,385 from School By Stephen Bailey Daily Echo September 2, 2008 http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/display.var.2438216.0.woman_admits_taking_55_385_from_school.php A WEEPING woman admitted stealing ?55,385 from a school which employed her as a finance officer. Jane Carey pleaded guilty to five counts of theft and five counts of fraud at Bournemouth Magistrates Court yesterday. The 48-year-old forged cheques with the head-teacher's name while working at St Joseph's Catholic Combined School in Parkstone, Poole. She transferred money from the school's diocese account - money that was supposed to be used for capital projects - and into an account her husband controlled. Prosecutor Anita Gibson Lee said: "He was arrested but it became clear he was not involved in anyway." Carey, of Burton Road, Branksome Park, Poole, was discovered when she went off sick with tennis elbow and the temporary finance officer found the school's accounts were nearly empty and invoices were going unpaid. Carey initially denied wrongdoing before making admissions to police. "She told them the stolen money has all but gone," said the prosecutor. "She read a statement in the police station that she been feeling suicidal and had recently been admitted to St Ann's Hospital with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder." Nicola Jinks, defending, said: "She doesn't have any previous convictions. "She has never been near a police officer before. I'm sure you can understand for someone from her background this is very difficult indeed." The court heard Carey's husband runs a management development company and that her eldest daughter has "gone on to study medicine." Miss Jinks said: "Her husband is going to stand by her. Her family and her faith have helped her through this very difficult period." Carey bought a lap-top and a digital camera with some of the money. Nat West Bank has refunded the school and Mrs Carey is ready to pay the money back, the court heard. Carey is on unconditional bail and will be sentenced on September 29 at Bournemouth Crown Court.
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