Man Jailed For Stealing From Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice

A Doncaster man has been jailed after he was caught on CCTV stealing money from Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice. 26 year old Richard Shepherd from Aisby Drive in Rossington was sentenced to a year in prison and a further 12 months on licence.

A police investigation was launched after staff at Bluebell Wood contacted police with their suspicions about Shepherd on 1 July 2013. One member of staff reported observing Shepherd, employed as a finance assistant, counting large piles of money, which was outside of normal procedure.

The hospice installed covert cameras, which captured Shepherd putting bundles of money in his pockets before leaving the office.

Shepherd was arrested on 2 July 2013 and officers began carrying out financial enquiries. This revealed that Shepherd had been paying significant sums of money into his bank account between 1 December 2012 and 1 July 2013.

Financial investigation of the hospice’s donations log showed a deficit of just over £20,000 between 1 December 2012 and 1 July 2013.

Police Constable Angela Hardwick, who lead the investigation, said: “Shepherd’s actions are deplorable and I am pleased he has now admitted his guilt.

“To steal donated money from a charitable organisation, especially one that provides essential care and support for terminally ill children and their families, is despicable.

“The money he stole allowed Shepherd to fund a lifestyle far above that afforded by his legitimate income.

“We are grateful to Bluebell Wood for their support and patience through what has been a long investigation and I hope that the conclusion of proceedings today shows that justice has been done.”