A church worker has avoided prison after stealing nearly £100,000 from the Diocese of Westminster. This money could have helped the homeless and supported food banks.
Francisca Yawson, 37, worked as a technician for the Roman Catholic Church in central London. Between September 2018 and August 2019, she made nine bank transfers to herself, totaling over £96,000. Last Friday, she was sentenced to two years in prison, but it was suspended for two years.
Judge Mark Weekes was clear about the impact of her actions. He said, “You were funding yourself to a reasonably good standard of living—dishonestly.” The judge emphasized that while Yawson enjoyed this lifestyle, many children may have gone hungry without support.
Interestingly, the case faced a significant delay due to a wrongful closure of the police investigation. Judge Weekes remarked that had the case been resolved sooner, Yawson would likely have faced harsher penalties.
Nicholas Seed, the diocese’s chief financial officer, expressed his disappointment in court. He noted that Yawson’s theft affected not just the church but the entire community, showing how one person’s greed can extend far beyond their own circumstances.
In Yawson’s defense, her lawyer mentioned that she used part of the stolen money to support her ill grandmother in Jamaica. Yawson has lost her job and now relies on universal credit, which adds layers to her situation.
The judge ordered her to complete 150 hours of unpaid work and pay £1,000 in restitution. This case underscores a troubling reality: financial struggles can sometimes lead individuals to make devastating choices.
In recent years, charity fraud has become more prevalent. A 2021 report from the Charity Commission found that over £10 million was lost in fraud cases affecting charities in the UK. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the responsibility organizations have to protect their funds, especially when those funds are meant to assist the most vulnerable members of society.
Thus, while Yawson may have escaped immediate imprisonment, the broader implications of her actions will linger in the community she hurt. As society strives to support those in need, trust and accountability in charitable organizations remain paramount.
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