Manchester sisters steal almost quarter of a million pounds from top fashion store

Related News

• Manchester sisters steal almost quarter of a million pounds from top fashion store - 17/08/12
• Police seize quarter-of-a-million pounds worth of heroin - 28/04/13
• Criminal Too Busy Dealing Heroin for Murder Told to Pay Back Cash - 22/04/13
• Silver lining for Bolton store manager - 23/04/13
• Bolton Veterans wrap up to raise money - 12/12/12

Two Manchester sisters stole nearly a QUARTER OF A MILLION POUNDS from a top fashion store where they worked.... and blew the money on caravans, cars and holidays.

Sheila Knowles, 49, and Rosemary Ashley, 55, were trusted employees at Henley's Clothing store in Manchester and fiddled accounts to fund their lavish lifestyle.

Knowles, from Blackley, Manchester, worked as an office manager at the store and Ashley as a book-keeping assistant.

Knowles would divert money to an account held by her sister, milking £35,000 each time.

The sisters admitted nine charges of theft were both jailed for two years.

During a Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) hearing at Manchester Crown Court today (Friday) Knowles was ordered to repay £58,554 of the £123,050 she stole to Henley's Clothing.

If she does not come-up with the cash in six months, she will be jailed for a further 18 months.

Ashley was ordered to pay back £2,500 of the £123,050 she stole, and will serve a further 45 days in prison if the money is not returned in six months.

Det Insp Andy Naismith from Greater Manchester Police said: "These sisters duped a company that trusted them out of more than £200,000 - a callous criminal act compounded by the fact they squandered their ill-gotten profits on cars and static caravans.

"Thanks to Proceeds of Crime Act legislation, Greater Manchester Police can target criminals where it really matters - their wallets.

"Not only will we lock criminals up, but we will also ensure the old adage that 'crime does not pay' rings true.

"Cases like these should act as a deterrent that if anyone gets involved using criminality to fund a lavish lifestyle, not only will they lose their freedom but also have to pay back the money they owe.

"Greater Manchester Police has a dedicated team of financial investigators who will look at all aspects of a criminal's life and if criminal assets are hidden or money has been obtained illegally we will expose them."