JCB worker abused trust to spend company thousands

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

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

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

The prosecution has said the fraud amounted to £12,371 but Fisher said it was around £10,000, however, this would not make a difference to her sentence.

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

The 43-year-old then spent thousands over a shorter period of around three months on things like the supermarket, 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. It was added that she had no previous convictions and she was a carer and single parent. The magistrates decided that their powers were not sufficient for the sentencing of Fisher, of Sadler Drive, Doveridge, and she was told her case would be sent to Stafford Crown Court.

The date has not yet been set and Fisher was told that she would be notified in the post. She answers to 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 with her sentence.

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