A senior manager with the Independent Police Complaints Commission, who scammed £17,000 in free rail travel to work for seven years, has received a suspended prison sentence.
Ian Every, 50, of High Trees, New town, Uckfield, East Sussex was so “nonchalant” about expenses fiddles within the organisation a casual unguarded comment exposed his swindle.
Blackfriars Crown Court heard he was employed as the Procurement Manager at the IPCC's HQ at 90 High Holborn, central London and had been with the body since 1992.
The first-time offender pleaded guilty to one count of fraud by abuse of position, between March 1, 2009 and January 1, this year when he made dishonest claims for travel and hotel expenses.
He was not entitled to free travel, but fraudulently claimed £17,701 worth of rail tickets for his daily commute, plus £2,656 to cover hotel bills.
Prosecutor Miss Maureen Flaherty told the court: “He was in a responsible position within the IPCC and the fraud was committed over a considerable period.”
A routine annual audit meeting on November 12, last year with a Home Office official was the beginning of the end for Every.
He made the throwaway comment: “I encourage people to claim for train tickets whenever they can.”
“The nonchalance of this defendant alerted the Home Office auditor. It caused apprehension and the auditor looked into things more diligently than maybe he would have.”
An investigation revealed 1,948 bogus transactions by Every to cover rail travel from Uckfield to his London office.
Now living on benefits with his mother and father after blowing his earnings gambling, Every has paid back the entire amount with money from his parents and sister.
He claims to have had significant outstanding debts to individuals, depression and a gambling addiction.
“He was arrested and questioned and and admitted his guilt and said that he was the sole person involved,” added Miss Flaherty. “He said he had to tell his family and that was something he was very ashamed of.”
Every’s lawyer Miss Josie Sonnessa told the court: “He is remorseful, he regretted it and he immediately tendered his resignation.
“He had an exemplary career record and in many ways he has hit rock bottom and waiting for this day has been an ongoing ordeal.”
Judge Peter Clarke QC told Every: “You have admitted a serious breach of trust while you were the senior procurement manager at the IPCC.
“This leaves a bad example to anybody working at an organisation like that.
“It was brought to your employers attention by your nonchalance and you avoided seventeen thousand pounds in travel costs.”
Every received 12 months imprisonment, suspended for two years and was ordered to complete 200 hours community service.
He will be under probation supervision and must also pay £750 costs.
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