A site supervisor at a Redbridge School misused his position to fraudulently submit false receipts totalling £2179.48 to cover goods that had not been purchased.

The fraud was identified by staff at the school and action taken in consultation with the Council’s Internal Audit Section.  The matter was referred to the Metropolitan Police.

Vincent Lynch of Walthamstow pleaded guilty to eight offences under Sections 1 and 2 of the Fraud Act 2006 when he appeared at Redbridge Magistrates Court recently. Lynch was ordered to repay the £2179.48 together with £70 cost to the Crown Prosecution Service and carry out a 180 hour Community Order. 

The school no longer employs Lynch.

Commenting on the case Cabinet Member for Resources and Communications, Cllr Mrs Linda Huggett said, “ This is a clear example of the fact that ‘crime doesn’t pay’, a man has a criminal record over theft of £2000.

This Council has a robust anti fraud strategy, part of which is that we always take the strongest possible action against those who commit fraud against the Authority.”