Children’s charity manager stole £216,000

A FRAUDSTER stole £216,000 from the Christian charity where he was a project manager to fund a lavish lifestyle.

Lee Patterson abused his senior position and covered his tracks by creating false business accounts.

Patterson diverted funds into his own bank accounts which he used to build an extension on his home and buy a car for his son.

The 51-year-old also paid money into the accounts of his own businesses.

Leeds Crown Court heard Patterson was employed by The Yorkshire Band of Hope Union.

He was the project manager for the Bramley Family Support Project and Wildfire Project.

Lee Fish, prosecuting, said the charities provide emotional support for disadvantaged children.

Mr Fish said: “There is clear evidence that funds were used to fund a lavish lifestyle.

“It has had a significant impact on the charity.

“They have had to close a number of projects.”

The offending came to light in 2012. Investigations revealed charity money had been transferred to a building firm carrying out work on his house.

Patterson, of Heatherfield Crescent, Marsh, Huddersfield, concealed his offending from charity trustees by producing fake accounts. He pleaded guilty to four offences of fraud.

Nicholas De La Poer, mitigating, handed 42 references to the court on behalf of people describing Patterson’s good character.

The barrister said Patterson had been very successful bidding for projects and was still committed to charity work despite his offending.

He said he had not been in trouble in the five years since the offending and had continued to help a charity based in Romania.

Mr De La Poer said Patterson had also given some of the stolen money to people who were in financial need.

Patterson was jailed for three year and four months.

Judge Simon Phillips QC said: “Many people who were doing their best to work with you and work alongside you, whose confidence you gained, have been cruelly let down and misled by you. Your fall from being a senior employee has been monumental.”