A wannabe model blew a chunk of the £10,000 she stole from a top venture capital company on a cocaine and booze binge in a desperate bed to win friends after splitting with her boyfriend, a court heard yesterday (Thursday).
Canadian-born Courtney McMath, 25, of Hurlingham Square, Fulham, made out company cheques to herself while employed as a temp at West End-based Delin Capital U.K. to impress friends she was living the high-life in the capital, jumping in and out of cabs as she toured the clubs and bars.
She was eventually sacked by the firm for constantly taking days off with hangovers and weeks later her crime spree was discovered.
McMath, who modeled for the Jalouse Catwalk Show at London Fashion Week in February pleaded guilty to stealing £10,746 from Delin between November 5 and December 18, last year and received a twelve-month community order, plus 200 hours unpaid work and was ordered to pay £250 costs.
"She split up with her boyfriend and that led to the destruction of her entire social life. She used cocaine and was binge-drinking," Miss Judith Benson, defending, told Southwark Crown Court. "She was using the money to buy drugs and alcohol."
Prosecutor Mr. Nick Rimmer said first-time offender McMath, who sobbed in the dock throughout, forged signatures on the five cheques, making out sums to herself of between £75 and £6,220.
She was arrested on January 27 and said nothing when quizzed at Charing Cross Police Station, but later admitted everything on February 11 after requesting a second interview.
McMath told police she moved to the U.K. two years ago to settle down with her boyfriend, but after the split found herself homeless and friendless.
"She said she also blew the cash on meals and taxis entertaining new friends," added Mr. Rimmer. "She said she was trying to buy new friends with stolen money."
She even twice took cheques home and made them out to herself using the company director's signature, always paying them into her own bank account.
"It was inevitable she would get caught," said Miss Benson. "The cheques were made payable in her name.
"This woman had a promising future and is now aware she has damaged that. She has now stopped drinking and taking drugs, has new flat-mates and a family friend has come over from Canada to support her."
Recorder Jeremy Donne QC told McMath: "You took a fairly substantial sum of money over three or four weeks on a number of occasions. This was an unsophisticated scheme, cheques were made out to yourself, discovery was inevitable.
"Your relationship with your boyfriend had come to and end and I accept that effected you emotionally and socially in that his friends were your friends and you found yourself isolated."
Telling McMath he would not send her to prison Recorder Donne added: "You are a young woman starting out in life and it would be a shame if your foolish conduct blighted your life for several years."
None of the money has been recovered and the Recorded added: "It is unrealistic to order compensation."
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