An accountant who moved millions of pounds from her employer to her accounts over a six-year period has been jailed.
Jemma Lewis from St Nicholas in the Vale of Glamorgan pleaded guilty to five counts of fraud by abuse of position.
Lewis, 40, moved a total of £3.65 million, disguised as payments to companies, from her employer’s accounts to her own.
Once legitimate payments and loans were removed, it was calculated that Lewis had benefited by more than £2.491 million.
Lewis was sentenced at Newport Crown Court on Thursday, July 24 to five years in prison.
Officer in the case DC Adam Segarty said:“Most of these ill-gained funds unfortunately went on gambling and Lewis would re-gamble any winnings. She is now left with very little to show for the £2.491 million.
“The fraud has had a devastating impact of the victim, Lewis’ employer of 18 years, his family, and all that who worked for him. One colleague resigned due to mental health believing they were the reason work projects were failing due to lack of funds.
“We welcome the sentence imposed by Newport Crown Court and hope it will act as a deterrent to other individuals engaged in fraud or other types of economic crime.”
