Headmistress at £14,000-a-year private school who made fake expenses claims for luxury shopping vouchers at John Lewis avoids jail

Mr Liam O’Brien, Dere Street Barristers, prosecuting, told the court that the first spate of offending took place between April 2016 and February 2018.The court heard that Ms French claimed they were all purchased as either leaving gifts for colleagues, rewards for high performing students, or as thanks to guest speakers. However, Mr O’Brien added: ‘In fact, the vouchers were simply kept by the defendant and used for her own personal benefit. ‘The total amount claimed by the defendant through fraudulent expense claims for the vouchers was just under £3,000, £2,970.’

Andrew Walker, Dere Street Barristers, defending, said: ‘It’s a career in which, clearly from the numerous references, she had supported and taught many young people and their families and helped them on their own career path and their life path. ‘Four-and-a-half years is a very long period of time to wake up every day not knowing what action, if any, will be taken.’

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