Two council managers have been jailed after a three-year fraud which cost East Riding of Yorkshire Council £100,000.
Paul Hinks and Neil Poskitt, who both admitted one charge each of conspiracy to steal, were handed sentences of 21 and 18 months, respectively, after using council money to stockpile high street goods to sell on, including iPods. A council spokesman said the sentences had been welcomed and it was pleased the judge had set in place a timetable for proceedings to recover the council’s losses.
‘Over a period of time, they (Hinks and Poskitt) abused their position of trust to organise themselves in such a way that they were able to conceal their fraudulent activities,’ he said. ‘However the council’s internal procedures for whistle-blowing and auditing ensured their fraud was uncovered and was reported to the police by the council.’
He added: ‘While the amount in question may be a relatively-small percentage of the council’s overall budget, this is still an extremely serious matter, especially as it involves public money.’
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