Gambling Addict Embezzles from school

Another previously law-abiding citizen in a position of trust, gets sucked into the vacuum of GAMBLING ADDICTION --

Head teacher who stole £53,000 to fund internet gambling addiction jailed for 16 months
Andrew Wilkie turned to online poker while suffering from depression
The 41-year-old became 'mistrustful and withdrawn' after he was cleared following a child sex allegation
He blew his family's savings and remortgaged their home to pay for his habit
By Lyle Brennan

high flying headmaster who stole £53,000 of school funds to finance his gambling addiction was jailed for 16 months today.
A court heard how father of three Andrew Thomas Wilkie, 41, became depressed after he was suspended over a child's accusation of sexual misconduct.

Following a full police investigation no action was taken against him, and he was allowed to return to school.
But, the court heard, the police probe had taken its toll and he secretly turned to online poker, often playing into the early hours of the morning.

He blew the family’s £90,000 savings, then the £70,000 he got by remortgaging the family home without his wife's knowledge, and finally turned to the school's fund.

Mold Crown Court, sitting at Chester, heard how Wilkie knew that the charitable fund was operated within the school and not subject to LEA auditing.

After he gambled away the funds a proposed extension to the school hall at Southdown Primary School, in Buckley, had to be put on hold.

Two anonymous letters were received by Flintshire LEA and following the tip-off Wilkie - at the school for 17 years, the last three as headmaster - was told an emergency audit would take place.


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Headteacher Andrew Wilkie jailed for £53k theft from school

'Position of trust'

Wilkie admitted two theft charges with eight similar offence taken into consideration.
Judge Merfyn Hughes QC said it was a very sad, but a very serious case.

"The most significant aggravating feature is that you were in a position of trust," said Judge Hughes.

"Given your role as headmaster it was a high degree of trust.

"The funds that ought have been used for the benefit of pupils have been lost and there has been an impact on both staff and pupils at the school."

A specialist financial investigation will now take place under The Proceeds of Crime Act to see how much money can be returned, the court heard.

Headmaster jailed for stealing to feed gambling habit