Social worker jailed for thefts in King’s Lynn

A social services worker who stole £19,000 from colleagues in Lynn in three months has been jailed for 16 months.

Miranda Napper, 33, a former assistant team manager, was sentenced at Norwich Crown Court last Thursday after pleading guilty to five charges relating to the Lynn thefts and another in Norwich.

Napper, of All Saints Way, Mundelsey, admitted four counts of dishonestly using false representations and one of using a false instrument. She also pleaded guilty to a charge of contempt of court.

The charges were brought in connection with thefts of more than £26,000 from colleagues in social services.

A total of £19,000 was stolen in incidents in Lynn in August, October and November 2012. The remainder was taken in Norwich between June 2010 and December 2012.

Sheila Lock, Norfolk County Council’s interim director of children’s services, said: “Miranda Napper deceived several members of staff and in doing so breached her position of trust and responsibility.”

“These offences do not relate to any children or service users but several social care staff have been affected and we are ensuring that appropriate support is available to those who may need it.”

The authority said no service users had been affected by Napper’s offending.

The case has also been referred to the relevant professional body, the Health and Care Professionals Council.