Finance boss jailed for £2.4m university fraud

David Hall spent the money on "holidays and fine dining"

Author: Jason BeckPublished 16th Mar 2023

A finance boss at the University of Brighton who stole more than £2m over 30 years has been jailed for six years.

David Hall pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of position, theft by an employee and false accounting.

Judge Chapple said: "The scale and breadth of your dishonesty over 30 years is breathtaking.

"It was systematic, persistent dishonesty, causing stress, heartache and pressure on other employees.

"Where did it go? On holidays and fine dining."

Judge Chapple added that ordinary members of the public who face debt day in, day out, would not dream of being dishonest, and said Hall’s actions were motivated by greed.

Hall, 64, of Shepherds Way in Ringmer used his position as the head of income and payments at the university to embezzle around £2.4m.

Hove Crown Court heard he covered up his activity through fraudulent entries in the university’s accounts.

The matter was reported to Sussex Police in November, 2021 when the university discovered the fraud through an audit.

An independent financial investigation commissioned by the university, alongside the police investigation, uncovered a complex string of financial cover-ups.

During the trial Hall claimed the frauds had first started due to his own personal debts.

Investigator Rose Horan said: "Over time, Hall’s activity became more difficult for him to conceal.

"Confiscation will take its course over the next few months but it is likely that the full amount will not be recovered."

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