JCB worker abused trust to spend company thousands on credit cards

A JCB worker abused her position of trust to spend thousands of pounds on company credit cards, a court has heard.

Kendra Fisher has admitted fraud by abuse of position while working as a corporate travel consultant at JCB headquarters in Rocester.

Cannock Magistrates’ Court heard that the offences happened between September 14, 2020, and July 5, 2021, when she was expected to safeguard the financial interests of JCB – but abused her position by using two company credit cards to purchase goods and services.

The prosecution has said the fraud amounted to £12,371 but Fisher claimed it was around £10,000.

But she was told the discrepancy would not make a difference to any sentence imposed.

Magistrates heard that around £1,600 related to her using a travel system to buy train tickets for her sons to get to their educational establishments.

The 43-year-old then spent thousands during a shorter period of around three months on expenses including supermarket shops, electricals and theatre tickets.

When she was challenged by bosses at JCB, she told them it came as no surprise and that she had expected the conversation, effectively admitting the crime. She has no previous convictions and the court was also told she was a carer and single parent.

Magistrates decided their powers were insufficient for the sentencing of Fisher, of Sadler Drive, Doveridge, and her case would be sent to Stafford Crown Court. The maximum sentence that can be imposed on an adult defendant for a single either-way offence is six months’ imprisonment and/or a fine.

The date for her sentencing hearing has not yet been set and Fisher was told that she would be notified in the post. She answers unconditional bail until her next appearance before the court.

Magistrates also asked for the probation service to prepare an all-options pre-sentence report on Fisher to help the crown court judge sentence her appropriately.