GP Manager Steals from Practice to Fund Obsession with Bingo

by Hollie Sanders

It seems that there is quite a bit in the news lately regarding employees who steal from their bosses accounts to fund their obsessive bingo habits and the latest snippet is about a General Practitioners office manager who stole ₤70,000 to fund her bingo and slots addiction.

Penny Sudwoth, a thirty six year old mother diverted money from the practice accounts to fuel her funds and play as much bingo and slots as she liked. She even awarded herself an increase in pay for this reason. I wonder if she felt the pay rise was justified? Sandra was responsible for the payroll and paying invoices, and had access to the surgery’s bank accounts.

Shortly before being given a one year jail sentence the courts heard how this young woman was blowing around ₤500 daily on bingo and slots. Apparently she cried as sentence was passed, I think I would too, imagine having your freedom taken away from you for an entire year?

Penny spent some of this money on the house that she shares with a husband and three children, and by the time her theft was discovered the surgery was in such a bad financial state that it was under threat of closure. Cheeky Penny even posted a message on her Friends United page saying that she was ‘working my way up the career ladder’ in the NHS, adding: ‘Very exciting! Honestly, the things you do to earn a crust.’

This all took place over a fifteen month period and she pleads guilty to a theft of ₤68,000. The National Health Service has obtained a court order to sell her house as the believe they can recoup some losses through this, they believe Penny stole closer to ₤80,000.