'Wolf in sheep's clothing' council worker stole nearly £900k for 'luxury lifestyle'
A council employee was described as a "wolf in sheep's clothing" after he stole nearly £900,000 from the accounts of vulnerable benefit claimants to fund a luxury lifestyle.Fraudster Richard Shaw, 46, transferred the cash to his own accounts as he worked for Bolton Council's financial protection team between 2015 and 2023. His role was to manage state benefits for users who were unable to manage their own finances and had no-one else who could help them.But investigations found several bank transfers in 2023 that totalled £893,296 to nine accounts in his name, Bolton Crown Court heard. Two BMW cars worth an estimated at £120,000 as well as computers and bikes were seized after officers searched Shaw's home in Harrier Close, in Bolton.READ MORE: Credit card rates hit 'eye watering' record high amid 'toxic mix' warningREAD MORE: Child sex abuse 'worsening' as 1,000 suspected UK paedophiles arrested each monthHe was then arrested on suspicion of fraud of position as well as money laundering. During the investigation, it was established he spent about £100,000 buying a holiday lodge in Ribble Valley, Lancashire and nearly £18,000 on garden improvements.Shaw made more than £53,000 in payments to different women with refences such as "treat," "allowance," "nice," and "a**," which amounted to hundreds of pounds each week, were also made, the court heard. The fraudster was sacked for gross misconduct.Shaw pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to one count of fraud by abuse of position and was jailed for four years and eight months. Following sentencing, CPS specialist prosecutor Stephanie Pendered said: “Richard Shaw was entrusted with safeguarding the finances of some of the most vulnerable people in his community. Instead, he systematically stole from them over an eight-year period.“His victims were people who relied on the council because they could not manage their own affairs. Shaw callously exploited that vulnerability, even targeting the accounts of deceased service users knowing they would be less likely to be checked.”Det Sgt Daniel Sanchez, from GMP’s economic and cyber crime unit, said: "In his role as an appointee officer, Shaw was responsible for managing 120 client cases. Shaw abused his position of trust within the council by transferring clients’ money to accounts he had set up in his own name."His systematic theft and haphazard spending was uncovered by our financial investigator. There will now be a proceeds of crime hearing to reclaim the rest of the money so the council can be reimbursed.”A spokesperson for Bolton Council said: “Bolton Council has robust measures in place to detect, prevent and deter corruption and this crime was first uncovered via our own internal safeguards. We have worked closely with Greater Manchester Police to build the case that has resulted in this sentence which reflects the gravity and impact of the crime committed."Cases like this are exceptionally rare and the actions of one person do not reflect a wider workforce that is conscientious, diligent, and committed to public service. Any identified financial losses to individuals as a result of this fraud have been refunded by the council, and benefit losses rectified."
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