A Portadown woman who conned a nursery group out of more than £200,000 has been jailed.
Lisa Marie McGuckin, of Rose Cottages, was today (Wednesday) jailed for 23 months – half of which will be served on licence.
The 45-year-old used her ill-gotten gains to fund holidays to Dubai and New York but today paid the price for her crimes.
Between September 15, 2011, and July 11, 2019, she defrauded £203,498 from her employers at Cots and Tots Ltd by transferring the cash out of their account.
She also defrauded the Drumcree Community Trust by transferring £1,918 from their account to her own account. Both businesses are in Portadown.
Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Inspector Foley, said: “The victims in these crimes were a local business and a local charity in the Portadown area.
“She showed a callous disregard for those she chose to defraud. She took money from her employers, who also offer employment to local people in the area and have suffered greatly due to the financial loss.
“I hope this sentencing sends out a clear message to anyone who thinks they can get away with this type of crime. We will work tirelessly to bring offenders before the courts so that that victims receive the justice they deserve.
“I would ask anyone who believes they are a victim of fraud to contact police on the non-emergency number 101.”
