Former Jewson worker jailed for fraud for 15 months

A former employee of builders' merchant Jewson has been jailed for 15 months after admitting expenses fraud.

Victoria Shaw, a personal assistant to a district manager at Jewson in St Annes, Lancashire, made the fraudulent claims between June and December last year, according to the Blackpool Gazette.

Shaw, 28, of Moorfield Grove, Bolton, was responsible for arranging various events at the company and claimed back the costs incurred on expenses. But suspicions were aroused when it emerged that her expenses claims were higher than those of some regional directors.

One false claim she made was that she had paid Keith Chegwin to attend a company disco.

Although Chegwin had been employed to do some work for the company, it turned out that he had not been present at that disco.

She initially denied the accusation when confronted by police, Preston Crown Court heard.

But later admitted that she had taken to money to pay for her wedding. Both she and her husband, who was also an employee of Jewson were dismissed and the money repaid.

But Judge Bruce Macmillan told Shaw that he had to make an example of her.

"The court takes no comfort or pleasure in sending you to prison, but it is my duty to deter others," he said.