Sir Paul McCartney’s clothier daughter Stella defrauded out of over £276,000 after employee embezzled the cash to settle his bank card money owed
Stella McCartney‘s fashion empire was rocked after one of her former employees was caught embezzling more than £276,000 from her account.
Thomas Clarkson, 33, who worked at the designer’s fashion house until 2021, retained access to the bank details and ran the fraud between October 2022 and March 2024.
The disgraced worker, who used the stolen cash to pay off his own credit card debts, siphoned a total of £276,880.29.
However, he has since repaid the full amount and sent an apology letter to McCartney, Westminster Magistrates’ Court was told.
Clarkson admitted to fraud by false representation in court on Wednesday and was committed to Inner London Crown Court for sentencing.
Prosecutor Ellen Alexander explained: ‘The Crown will invite you to commit this case to the crown court for sentence. The defendant has since paid the money back and sent a letter of apology.
‘He made full admissions in interview and of course he has entered a guilty plea today. He has no previous convictions.’
Thomas Clarkson, 33, (above leaving court) worked for the designer’s eponymous fashion house until 2021 but retained the bank account details
He siphoned £276,880.29 from Stella’s account but has since paid the money back and sent a letter of apology to Stella, Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard
Stella McCartney, 53, the daughter of music legend Sir Paul McCartney, founded her own renowned fashion house, Stella McCartney Ltd, in 2001
Magistrate Nathalie Laniado addressed Clarkson, said: ‘You pleaded guilty to this offence and because of the seriousness of the offence, it is beyond our jurisdiction which means you will be sentenced at the crown court and not at this court.’
Laniado added: ‘You have understood that we are going to permit this to Inner London Crown Court and the date and time will be notified to you, until that time you are on unconditional bail.
‘That means a few things, you must attend on the date and time, if you commit any offence that will be treated much more harshly.’
The charge states he ‘dishonestly made a false representation, namely purporting to be the authorised signatory of Stella McCartney’s account, intending to make a gain for yourself of GBP 276,880.29, namely by setting up direct debits payments from Stella McCartney’s account to your personal credit card and loan accounts, and to cause the loss of this amount to Stella McCartney.’
Sir Paul proudly posed with four portrait photos of The Beatles, with the photograph of him taken decades ago at the band’s height of fame
Stella McCartney put on a leggy display with Anais Gallagher as they attended the launch of the designer’s new Ryder bag in a London restaurant on Thursday
The sentencing will take place at Inner London Crown Court at a date yet to be confirmed.
Stella McCartney, 53, the daughter of music legend Sir Paul McCartney, founded her own renowned fashion house, Stella McCartney Ltd, in 2001.
The brand, famous for its ethical and sustainable approach, is based in White City, London.
She also designed Meghan Markle’s wedding reception dress.
