Assistant head trainer stole £8k in free college meals rip-off to fund his playing

An assistant headteacher who stole £8,520 in a free college meals rip-off for “worse-off” youngsters did so to fund the playing addition that “gripped” him.

Gambling addict Daniel Reynolds, 36, averted being put behind bars after he saved cash from a government-funded scheme meant to offer college vacation meals and actions for pupils.

Reynolds, from Sprowston, close to Norwich, processed pretend invoices to assert for meals supplied to worse-off pupils though some had been donated at no cost by native teams locally.

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He pleaded responsible to 3 counts of fraud by deception between October 2021 and June 2022, and in addition admitted a fourth cost of creating or supplying paperwork and receipts to be used in fraud.

Norwich Crown Court heard Reynolds was within the grip of a severe playing dependancy when he was made assistant head at West Earlham Junior School. The father-of-one was sacked in October 2022 after Norfolk County Council launched an investigation into his rip-off.

The ex-teacher was discovered to have submitted false claims for funds from the Our Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) scheme throughout 2021 and 2022. Among the pretend invoices Reynolds submitted was for a Christmas occasion though the meals had been donated by a neighborhood resort.

The courtroom was informed that regardless of his rip-off the varsity vacation actions had nonetheless taken place and no youngsters had misplaced out.

Judge Anthony Bate stated Reynolds engaged in an “egregious breach of trust” whereas sentencing him to 10 months in jail, suspended for 18 months. He stated: “This was initially an sincere and worthwhile exercise that benefited the group however then you definately exploited it in your personal dishonesty.

“You let down your colleagues, senior staff, parents and the children. You should hang your head in shame.”

Reynolds cried within the dock as his defence lawyer David Tremain stated it had been a “one-off offence”. He added it was motivated by the necessity to earn “a bit of extra income, the background being his gambling addiction that he was trying to hide from his family”.

Alongside his suspended sentence, Reynolds should full 300 hours unpaid work and 10 rehabilitation days.

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