A former payroll officer has admitted stealing £210,000 by fraud from Barnet Council in the space of 12 months at Harrow Crown Court yesterday.
Julie Ann Swain, of Hunter Walk, Borehamwood, pleaded guilty to 40 counts of false accounting between August 2001 and August 2002.
The court heard how Swain falsified payroll accounts, changing the council's bank details to those of her own. She took on different alias's throughout the year to steal £210,000. She was arrested in January following an investigation by the council's anti-fraud squad, codenamed Operation Eagle.
During the hearing Swain's husband sat in the public gallery with his head bowed. Swain, dressed in a black suit, looked anxious throughout.
The case was adjourned until May 23 for a psychiatric report when Swain will be sentenced.
April 30, 2003 11:30
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