Manor Gatehouse register office in Priory Road, Dartford

by Jamie Bullen

jbullen@thekmgroup.co.uk

A registrar stole hundreds of birth and death certificates and more than £200 after problems spiralled following the death of her father, a court heard.

Ronda Selfe, 48, of Burdett Avenue, Shorne, has been employed at The Manor Gatehouse register office in Priory Road, Dartford, since 1996.

But this week she admitted three counts of theft at Dartford Magistrates' Court.

Selfe's responsibilities at the Kent County Council register office included issuing birth, death and marriage certificates as well as handling money.

Colleagues became suspicious after noticing financial irregularities in June. A full audit was carried out.

The court heard that £360 was missing from the accounts but Selfe had repaid £350 of the money at a later date.

She was arrested by police for stealing eight books containing 800 blank certificates and for stealing £55 and £192.50 in cash. Only some of the certificate books have been recovered.

The court heard that Selfe was selling certificates to customers, but pocketing the fee.

She was suspended from work the following month and magistrates were told she burned some of the books in her garden after "panicking".

Stella Williams, prosecuting, said problems began to mount for Selfe after the death of her father in October last year.

She said: "She made a full and frank admission when interviewed by police.

"She sold certificates to customers and kept the money for herself.

"She panicked and burned some of the books in the garden. She was worried she could lose her job as other staff were being trained."

The prosecutor added that Selfe had taken out a £10,000 loan for an extension at her home.

Jeremy Betts, defending Selfe, said his client was expecting to be dismissed at a disciplinary meeting with her employers held this week.

He said: "This is still very much a shock for her. It will obviously have a devastating effect. It is unlikely she will gain employment in a similar field.

"This is a person who had a lot of pressure on her."

Mr Betts added that Selfe, who was tearful when she appeared in court, had now undergone counselling after spiralling into depression.

Chairman of the bench Michael Fitzsimons sentenced her to 80 hours unpaid work, under supervision, and ordered her to pay £85 court costs.

He said: "This theft by you as an employee breached the trust with your employer and it was more than one offence."

KCC head of registrations Giles Adey said: "This was a very rare incident involving one member of staff. The matter has been dealt with through the courts."