Luxury holidays liar sent to jail for fraud

A DEBT-RIDDEN police officer who indulged in expensive holidays and grouse shooting has been jailed after she lied to creditors about her lavish lifestyle

Tracy Taylor, 43, from Carlisle, had racked up more than £60,000-worth of debts and as a result had come to an arrangement to pay back a proportion of that sum.

But Newcastle Crown Court heard she lied to her creditors about her outgoings and was enjoying holidays to Gleneagles and Italy.

Taylor, who has been dismissed from Cumbria Constabulary for gross misconduct, had claimed she was spending £595 a month on childcare and £595 a month on fuel due to a 40-mile daily trip.

But in fact the childcare was costing her nothing, as the bill was being paid for by the police force, and her daily commute was just eight miles.

Andrew Walker, prosecuting, told the court she rented out her house for £750 per month, earning £5,250, purchased a new BMW for £9,000 and went on a two-week holiday to Italy.

Along with her husband Paul she also enjoyed a luxury weekend at Gleneagles Hotel, which included Michelin-starred food and a shooting day.

All of this was done despite telling her creditors the family had a disposable income of only £160 per month.

Sentencing her to eight months in prison, Judge Edward Bindloss said that, if the creditors had known the actual amounts of expenditure, it is possible the Individual Voluntary Arrangement might not have been granted.

Mark Aldrid, defending, said the original debts had come as a result of her husband’s failed businesses and also because the couple had been victims of a fraudster.

Taylor had previously pled guilty to a charge of fraud and two counts of making false representation.

This case followed an investigation by Cumbria Police into her conduct.