Precision Showers Screens & Robes scandal: Diane Apted jailed for $1m rort
A family-run Montrose business almost went bust after a trusted employee stole almost $1 million which she blew on meth, gambling and liquor. Find out why the struggling owners won’t get back a single cent.
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A bookkeeper who siphoned $1 million from a family-run Montrose business left the company fighting for survival, a court has heard.
Diane Apted swindled $970,803 from Precision Shower Screens & Robes when in charge of paying wages and accounts between 2012 and 2016.
Apted used an accountancy program which she admitted “made it easy” to siphon the money via more than 200 “suspicious transactions”.
Her skulduggery was uncovered after an accountant conducted an audit of Precision’s books ahead of a potential sale.
Apted then quit her job and moved to Tasmania.
The prolonged police investigation meant she wasn’t charged until April 2019.
Apted told police she blew the cash on gambling, drugs, alcohol and travel.
The delayed investigation also put financial pressure on Precision which has been unable to recover any money.
A civil move to recoup the money was foiled when Apted declared bankruptcy.
Precision owner Phil Woollard told Leader it would take “several years” to recover.
“We’re a family business that turns over $8 million each year and we employ many people but she almost brought it all down,” Mr Woollard said.
“(We) bent over backwards for her, gave her the world and she ripped us off … the staff are shattered.
“It was a horrific time, we worked so hard to make sure all debts were paid and no one lost their job but I thought ‘we should be doing better than this’.
“There was never anything left and she hasn’t offered to pay anything back.
“We’ve ridden the storm but my message to others is who can you trust … well, don’t trust anybody.”
Mr Woollard said there’s not much he can do to get the money back after Apted declared bankruptcy.
“She’s devious, she probably has half a million in a box under her bed,” he said.
Apted, 57, was sentenced in the County Court on March 5 to a minimum two years and six months’ jail after pleading guilty to five counts of obtaining a financial advantage by deception.
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Judge Wendy Wilmoth said Apted committed a “gross breach of trust” and “heartless exploitation” of a small family business.
“The large amount stolen has deprived (Mr Woollard) of many opportunities which he might’ve expected to be able to enjoy after 17 years building the business,” she said.
“Such a serious impact on the victims makes (Apted’s) offending even more serious than on its face
Apted – who had spent 334 days in custody at the time of sentencing – was jailed for a maximum four years.