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Accountant charity thief ordered to repay £1

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30th Nov 2012
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An accountant who was jailed for five years after he stole £525,905 from a church and a religious charity has been ordered to repay just £1.

Stephen Methuen from Wordsley in the West Midlands was the treasurer of Amblecote Christian Centre in Stourbridge and the Christian International Relief Mission. 

He took the money over a six-year period and pleaded guilty to 12 counts of false accounting on 4 October, plus four charges of cheating HMRC by filing gift aid repayment claims which overstated the total charitable donations that were made.

He was sentenced to five years at Wolverhampton Crown Court, where judge John Maxwell told him: "You took advantage of your good character to worm your way into the trust of the church and you grossly abused that trust.

Methuen, previously from Smalman Close, Wordsley, has already started his jail term but appeared again before court last week, where as he was found to have no assets whatsoever and given one extra day to serve in jail and a 28 days to pay a £1 nominal fee. 

His solicitor said he was "grateful" to the court. 

The money he stole included £117,000 raised by the relief mission to help homeless orphans in the Philippines. 

A spokesperson for HMRC said when interviewed, Methuen told them discrepancies were due to computer software errors. 

However, HMRC and West Midlands Police carried out digital forensic analysis and found he had transferred £517,000 to his personal bank account and paid off his personal credit cards. 

He used the cash to prop up his ailing accountancy business Elhanan Consultancy, making determined steps to try cover up his criminality and falsified accounts. 

Methuen's now estranged wife and family apparently knew nothing of his crimes. 

Pastor Adrian Lowe from Amblecote Christian Centre said he hopes Methuen will show remorse for his acts. 

"Even though it is unlikely to see the recovery of the stolen funds, we are greatly encouraged by the continuous generous giving of our members, who have remained loyal during this very difficult period," he said.

Replies (6)

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By carnmores
30th Nov 2012 16:35
Thanks (1)
the sea otter
By memyself-eye
03rd Dec 2012 14:50

dozy trustees

who should heed: "the lord giveth and the treasurer taketh away"

Thanks (1)
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By J.R.BOX
07th Dec 2012 13:40

Got off too light

I thought the common practise in circumstances where there were insufficient funds was to make the Order to replay in full anyway. That way some or all of the money could be recovered at a later date. For example, if he won the lottery or inherited a large sum, or indeed starts earning again.

Seems unfair to the victim in this case.

 

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By The Black Knight
07th Dec 2012 15:30

and the message is

£500K for 2.5 years free board and lodging...I make that £200K a year after tax.

What an excellent message to send out?

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By spurs1952
07th Dec 2012 16:41

Frightful Decision

I am not easily shocked but cannot believe this sentence.  ONE POUND !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Surely a 50p would have been more than enough.  Poor man.

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By The Black Knight
07th Dec 2012 16:54

I this a Judges Snub?

a bit like awarding £1 damages?

 

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