[UK] Worker who defrauded payroll giving agency of nearly £200k spared jail

In the UK, a worker who defrauded a charity payroll agency which processes annual donations of £50 million has avoided an immediate jail sentence, Yahoo reports.

Matthew Tillier (26) worked for West Devon-based Charitable Giving, an HMRC-approved and audited Payroll Giving Agency and a registered charity, for seven years.

The non-profit charity processes donations from companies and individuals from countries including Canada and America to distribute to charities, and provides the donors with tax benefits.

Mr Tillier reportedly defrauded the charity out of £192,000 over five weeks in 2024. He used to pay off £30,000 credit card debts, buy two vehicles and give money to his mother and a builder friend.

Further fraudulent transactions worth £33,000 were prevented by Lloyds Bank in Ireland, which saw that funds were being paid into personal accounts.

The chief executive officer of the charity reportedly confronted Mr Tillier, who made full admissions, saying he had 'got into debt'.

Plymouth Crown Court heard that Mr Tillier still owes £105,000, but some funds have been frozen in a bank account, meaning the total may be nearer £80,000.

Mike Brown, defending, said it was a very unpleasant offence, and noted that defrauding a charity was 'particularly distasteful'.

Mr Tillier has no previous convictions. He admitted one charge of fraud. Judge Matthew Turner gave him a two-year jail term, suspended for two years.

The judge said, "Particular charities lost out of these sums, and it had a detrimental effect on them."

A confiscation hearing will be held at a later date. Mr Tillier reportedly stated that he hopes and intends to repay the outstanding money.

Source: Yahoo 

(Quotes via original reporting)

In the UK, a worker who defrauded a charity payroll agency which processes annual donations of £50 million has avoided an immediate jail sentence, Yahoo reports.

Matthew Tillier (26) worked for West Devon-based Charitable Giving, an HMRC-approved and audited Payroll Giving Agency and a registered charity, for seven years.

The non-profit charity processes donations from companies and individuals from countries including Canada and America to distribute to charities, and provides the donors with tax benefits.

Mr Tillier reportedly defrauded the charity out of £192,000 over five weeks in 2024. He used to pay off £30,000 credit card debts, buy two vehicles and give money to his mother and a builder friend.

Further fraudulent transactions worth £33,000 were prevented by Lloyds Bank in Ireland, which saw that funds were being paid into personal accounts.

The chief executive officer of the charity reportedly confronted Mr Tillier, who made full admissions, saying he had 'got into debt'.

Plymouth Crown Court heard that Mr Tillier still owes £105,000, but some funds have been frozen in a bank account, meaning the total may be nearer £80,000.

Mike Brown, defending, said it was a very unpleasant offence, and noted that defrauding a charity was 'particularly distasteful'.

Mr Tillier has no previous convictions. He admitted one charge of fraud. Judge Matthew Turner gave him a two-year jail term, suspended for two years.

The judge said, "Particular charities lost out of these sums, and it had a detrimental effect on them."

A confiscation hearing will be held at a later date. Mr Tillier reportedly stated that he hopes and intends to repay the outstanding money.

Source: Yahoo 

(Quotes via original reporting)