Nursery Manager Stole £3,000 From Parents

The deputy manager of a pre-school stole thousands of pounds from parents who gave her cheques to pay fees.

Sarah Gibbon, aged 32, of Stonehill, Street, admitted six charges of stealing money from the Next Steps Nursery at the Royal Bath and West Showground, near Shepton Mallet, when she appeared before Frome magistrates last week.

Some parents were asked to make out cheques to a name that turned out to be that of Miss Gibbon’s partner.

The deception came to light when profits rose whenever Miss Gibbon was away on holiday, and when parents asked during her absence whether they should still make cheques out to a J. Cook.

Anne Maye, prosecuting, said Gibbon was dismissed from her job and she offered to pay back £4,000 if parents were not informed.

The thefts occurred during several months dating back to last year and into October of this year.

Exact figures were not available, but John Killah, defending, said the amount involved was thought to be in the region of £3,000.

He added that a sum much larger than that had been paid back to the nursery by Miss Gibbon.

Magistrates ordered pre- sentence reports, and adjourned the case until Thursday 6 December. Gibbon was released on unconditional bail.