UFJ clerk convicted of theft to feed gambling habit

UFJ International, a banking subsidiary of Japan's Mitsubishi corporation, hit the headlines in April when a London-based clerk was convicted of stealing almost £500,000 from the firm to feed her gambling habit.

Sharna Baker, aged 26, was addicted to internet betting, according to evidence given in the court case, which was heard at the Old Bailey. Baker had already spent £90,000 of her own money on sports events website betting when she started to take funds from her employers.

Baker, an accounts payment officer, used a password given to her by her boss to funnel money into five separate accounts that she had created. She would then destroy the physical confirmations and other paperwork associated with the transactions. She used the money to make bets of up to £10,000 on horse races and football matches.

The scheme was only uncovered when Baker was made redundant. The judge sentenced her to 51 weeks in prison, suspended for two years. OR&C