Admin Manager Steals Nearly £1 Million from Employer to Fund Lavish Lifestyle
Mum of Three Embezzles Company Funds for Six Years
Amanda Rees, 34, from Olive Mount, St Helens, worked at a manufacturing firm on Runcorn’s Astmoor Industrial Estate since 2010. But from 2013, she began funneling company cash into her own bank accounts.
Rees kept the theft going for six years until last November when the firm uncovered the fraud. They immediately reported her to police.
£980,673 Stolen and Blown on Luxuries
Police launched an investigation and found Rees had stolen just under £1 million. She admitted guilt when she voluntarily attended a police station on 14 March.
She faced seven theft counts and one money laundering charge. At Chester Crown Court on 3 November, she pleaded guilty and was sentenced.
Lavish Lifestyle Funded by Crime
Sergeant Phil Brown, who led the probe, said: “As admin manager, Rees had full access to the company’s accounts. The firm trusted her deeply – but that trust was badly misplaced.”
Rees used the stolen money to pay for her wedding, cars, home improvements, holidays, and luxury items like hot tubs. When questioned, she claimed depression and said she self-medicated by splashing out on expensive treats for her family.
She even worked from home on maternity leave to cover her tracks, ensuring nobody else handled the finances or spotted the scam.
Justice Served, Warning Issued
Now behind bars, Rees faces the consequences of her actions. Sgt Brown warned: “I hope this sends a clear message to anyone tempted to commit similar offences.”
David Keane, Police and Crime Commissioner, praised officers for securing the conviction. He added: “I hope this sentence brings some closure to the victim company.”
