A legal executive, who looted over £60,000 from her solicitor employers after her schoolteacher husband quit work, dodged jailed with a suspended sentence today.
Mother-of-four Oonagh Grant, 52, of Altyre Close, Beckenham was a registered conveyancer with top West End firm Manches until she was caught and sacked after an internal probe.
She pleaded guilty at Southwark Crown Court to ten counts of theft between September 14, 2007 and July 29, last year and was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment, suspended for 2 years.
Prosecutor Miss Lesley Jones told the court Grant - who was earning £82,500 a year - was responsible for unauthorised transactions totalling £63,298.56 which she paid into her ill father's account.
She had power of attorney over his finances so controlled the money, which she spent on family bills, which included maintaining her 15 year-old daughter's private school education and drama aspirations.
"On august sixteen last year a number of financial irregularities came to light involving fraudulent transactions she was involved with," explained Miss Jones.
"A number were paid by cheque and authorised by the defendant and others were by bank transfer."
Police were informed on August 20 and Grant was arrested at her desk, making a full confession.
"She confirmed she paid money into her father's account after seeing she had an opportunity, having control over various financial transactions.
"Mrs Grant was in a high degree of trust and comes into the top bracket of at least three years' imprisonment," added the prosecutor.
Grant's lawyer Mr. David Bentley said: "Depression may well have been a significant factor in this case. Her current diagnosis is moderately to severely depressed for some period of time.
"She felt it was better stealing than than admit she was unable to cope financially and emotionally and this has come as a shock to those who knew her.
"She is someone who likes to give the impression to the world that she can cope and tries to deal with the problem herself."
Grant is now a £500 per week teacher and the sole breadwinner of her family. She also has girls aged 17 and 23 and a 12 year-old son.
"All it did was reinstate the loss of income from her husband's job," added Mr. Bentley. "She did it out of desperation and stupidity and her mind was effected by the depression and stress she was under."
Roger Stewart QC told Grant: "Our society depends on people being able to trust each other. When you were dealing with clients' money you owed an obligation to those clients and your employers.
"I am influenced by the fact you are looking after your father and your husband depends on you as well as three of your four children."
Grant was also ordered to perform 200 hours community service and confiscation proceedings will follow.
"This is an exceptional case. The court has been very lenient towards you," added the recorder.
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