I live in West Hoathly and our local shop and post office closed overnight with no warning a few weeks ago - now we know why! Having lived in West Hoathly for over 3 years I have to say that I am stunned by this news!!!
Anyone else had any good scandles recently where they live
Mark R
West Hoathly post office worker steals to pay for giant credit card debts
By Ali Cridland »
A village postmistress who stole more than £50,000 to pay off her overwhelming credit card debts has ended up behind bars and disowned by her family.
Mother-of-three Susan Williams, 49, took the money from the sub post office in West Hoathly to fund her family's lifestyle, including private schools and horses for her children, after running up credit card bills of more than £120,000.
Yesterday the formally well-respected woman, who has no previous convictions, was jailed for 12 months at Lewes Crown Court after admitted stealing £51,774 between January 2007 and February last year.
The court heard Williams and her family had run the village shop and post office since 2004 in North Lane, and lived next door.
In February last year the missing cash was discovered during a routine audit of the accounts.
When investigators searched her home they found documents which revealed she had credit card debts of more than £100,000.
Williams admitted she had been stealing from the till and falsifying the monthly trading statements.
The court was told Williams who now calls herself Sue Simmons and lives in Dane Hill, was sacked by the post office and has so far not paid back any of the stolen money.
Cathy McCulloch, defending, said no punishment the court could impose could be worse than that inflicted by Williams' family.
She said: "Her husband, who she has known since she was 14, has left her and her children have disowned her.
"All the money taken was not used to go on jaunts to Disneyland but to fund a lifestyle. She should be pitied and helped."
The court heard her husband had left her, her children did not want to know her and her home had been re-possessed.
Judge Anthony Niblett told her he accepted she had acted out of character while under pressure. He said: "You are 49 and a lady of previous good character. It is a real sadness to see you in this court."
But, he said, the offence was such a serious breach of trust that only an immediate custodial sentence was appropriate.
He said: "When you are released from the sentence I hope you will return to your honest life."
Anyone else had any good scandles recently where they live
Mark R
West Hoathly post office worker steals to pay for giant credit card debts
By Ali Cridland »
A village postmistress who stole more than £50,000 to pay off her overwhelming credit card debts has ended up behind bars and disowned by her family.
Mother-of-three Susan Williams, 49, took the money from the sub post office in West Hoathly to fund her family's lifestyle, including private schools and horses for her children, after running up credit card bills of more than £120,000.
Yesterday the formally well-respected woman, who has no previous convictions, was jailed for 12 months at Lewes Crown Court after admitted stealing £51,774 between January 2007 and February last year.
The court heard Williams and her family had run the village shop and post office since 2004 in North Lane, and lived next door.
In February last year the missing cash was discovered during a routine audit of the accounts.
When investigators searched her home they found documents which revealed she had credit card debts of more than £100,000.
Williams admitted she had been stealing from the till and falsifying the monthly trading statements.
The court was told Williams who now calls herself Sue Simmons and lives in Dane Hill, was sacked by the post office and has so far not paid back any of the stolen money.
Cathy McCulloch, defending, said no punishment the court could impose could be worse than that inflicted by Williams' family.
She said: "Her husband, who she has known since she was 14, has left her and her children have disowned her.
"All the money taken was not used to go on jaunts to Disneyland but to fund a lifestyle. She should be pitied and helped."
The court heard her husband had left her, her children did not want to know her and her home had been re-possessed.
Judge Anthony Niblett told her he accepted she had acted out of character while under pressure. He said: "You are 49 and a lady of previous good character. It is a real sadness to see you in this court."
But, he said, the offence was such a serious breach of trust that only an immediate custodial sentence was appropriate.
He said: "When you are released from the sentence I hope you will return to your honest life."
