A book-keeper who gambled away almost £1 million of company funds has been jailed for three years and four months.

Caroline Dumont systematically siphoned off money from three firms in Aylesford and New Ash Green near Longfield for almost three years.

One company was forced into liquidation and Maidstone Crown Court heard the second subsequently set up to save staff jobs would have sunk within a year if Dumont's deceit had not been discovered.

The boss of plant hire company Tara Holdings, and later Aylesford-based Tara Ltd, resorted to using his own money to keep the business afloat, while his personal life suffered dramatically as a result.

Jailing 57-year-old Dumont, Recorder David Jeremy QC said she had "violated" company director Paul Newman "just as effectively, and perhaps more damagingly, as if she had assaulted him with a weapon".

"It is obvious from close examination of her bank accounts that she has a gambling habit that is entrenched and relentless" - Prosecutor Bridget Todd

Dumont, of Brenda Terrace, Swanscombe, admitted three offences of fraud in relation to Tara Holdings between February 2012 and March 2013, Tara Ltd between March 2013 and November 2014 and New Ash Green-based Steadfast Carpentry in the same period.

The total loss was £935,700.61 and the court heard it was staff at Tara Ltd who alerted Steadfast to Dumont's fraud.

Dumont's responsibilities involved paying wages, including her own. Prosecutor Bridget Todd said she disguised the fraudulent payments by purporting the money had gone to legitimate suppliers.

Although some of the cash went on living expenses, the court heard she was predominantly gambling and staking up to £1,000 a time.

Any winnings would be simply 'reinvested' straight back into her online betting accounts.
"It is obvious from close examination of her bank accounts that she has a gambling habit that is entrenched and relentless," added Miss Todd.

Susan Rodham, defending, said all the money was now gone and Dumont, who lives in a council house, has just £1.50 in her bank account.

Her deceit eventually came to light when Tara Ltd decided to hold an audit when Dumont was on holiday.

She had told her bosses her sister had paid for her to go on a cruise but the trip was in fact a 'gift' from one gambling firm as an incentive to keep Dumont's custom.

But before she set sail, Dumont paid herself 'spending money' of £5,000, the court heard.
Tara Holdings and Tara Ltd lost a total of £902,594 and Steadfast was defrauded out of £33,106.

Passing sentence, Recorder Jeremy said that while he accepted she had been motivated by an addictive illness rather than greed, it did not detract from the devastating impact of her offending.

“This was a terrible abuse of trust, a continuing crime perpetuated over years, of high impact and caused serious detrimental effect.”

Despite her lack of assets, a confiscation hearing will be held in April.