Former Butterwick Hospice boss sentenced for credit card fraud
Graeme Leggatt-Chidgey was found guilty and sentenced to four years in jail
The former boss of Butterwick Hospice has been sentenced to 4 years in prison for credit card fraud.
Graham Leggatt-Chidgey defrauded the charity of tens of thousands over eight years - using money to buy luxury items and hotel stays.
The 62-year-old pleaded guilty to abusing his position as chief executive of Butterwick Hospice by using its credit card for his personal expenditure over nearly eight years.
He previously denied all the charges against him but changed his plea on the day his trial at Teesside Crown Court was due to begin.
The hospice which has facilities in Stockton-on-Tees, Bishop Auckland and Weardale, was set up by Mary Butterwick in 1984 using money from the sale of her house, in memory of her husband John who had died.
Leggatt-Chidgey, who lived near Barnard Castle, County Durham, was chief executive for 21 years and his double-barrelled name, military ties and wealthy demeanour led staff to think he had independent means.
But instead, he was a skilled fraudster who has badly damaged the hospice's reputation, it said.
Since he was arrested last year, the charity, which needs #4 million a year, estimated its donations were down by #100,000.
After the former CEO pleaded guilty to fraud, chairwoman of the trustees Judith Hunter said:
"The Butterwick Hospice has been the victim of a terrible crime committed by one individual.
"We know that people have lost faith and confidence in the hospice, however I'm glad the story is now out there for people to hear.
"I ask people to get behind the hospice. It's really important we continue with the legacy Mary Butterwick introduced many decades ago.'
Detective Constable Chris Pringle, from Cleveland Police's Fraud Investigation Team, said:
"This was an extremely complex inquiry where a long-serving senior employee in a position of trust had systematically defrauded his employer; a well-established and respected local charity.
"Mr Leggatt-Chidgey’s actions are in direct contrast to the spirit of the hospice’s founder Mary Butterwick, who sold her own home to set up this wonderful facility which has done so much good for the community for more than 30 years.
"Over a lengthy period of time Mr Leggatt-Chidgey helped himself to money – often provided by supporters’ fund raising activities - and I believe the hard working staff and volunteers who have given money, goods or their time to the hospice, will share my utter disgust at what he has done.
"On that note, I’d like to thank all the staff and trustees from Butterwick Hospice who have assisted with the police investigation while continuing to provide patients, their families and friends a service and level of care which is second to none. Their support has been absolutely invaluable and I wish them well for the future.
"I welcome the sentence handed to Mr Leggatt-Chidgey today and I hope, with the continued support of the community, the Butterwick Hospice can draw a line under this difficult period and continue to go from strength to strength."