Woman with fraud history swindled council £7k while gambling addict

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 27 Oct, 16:39 · Archive

A gambling addict with previous fraud convictions stole nearly £7,000 from Pembrokeshire council using her access to employee purchase cards.

Karen Deakin, 56, from Haverfordwest, admitted fraud while working as a purchase card officer for Pembrokeshire council. She increased the credit limit on her own employee purchase card from £1 to spend council money, and also used cards belonging to former employees. Between 22 March and 29 October 2024, she spent £6,915.20 on personal items including Amazon shopping and to pay her own rent to the council.

The fraud came to light when a trainee accountant reviewing the department's budget in November 2024 noticed spending was far higher than expected. A former employee's card showed £3,036 spent in September despite that person having left in August.

Deakin pleaded guilty and told the court she had been experiencing financial difficulties because of an online gambling addiction. At Swansea Crown Court, Judge Geraint Walters said he was surprised by the council's vetting procedure, noting Deakin had three previous convictions for theft and fraud-related offences dating from 1996 to 2012. He described her criminal record as 'pretty unimpressive'. Deakin received a 12-month suspended sentence, suspended for two years, and was ordered to repay the money.

How it is being reported

• Pembrokeshire council hired woman with 'dreadful record of dishonesty' - it was a big mistakeKaren Deakin had previously been sentenced for multiple offences over an extended period, but the council still decided to employ her in a financial positionWalesOnline · 27 Oct, 16:07
• Gambling addict swindled council out of £7k for rent and Amazon shoppingKaren Deakin was given a 12-month suspended prison sentence after admitting defrauding Pembrokeshire council.BBC Wales · 27 Oct, 14:37

In this story: Karen Deakin · Pembrokeshire council · Haverfordwest · Swansea Crown Court · Judge Geraint Walters

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log