A former treasurer of an animal charity has admitted to defrauding the organisation of more than £230,000.
Kevin Proctor, who was treasurer of Barnsley Animal Rescue Centre (BARC) for six years from August 2016 to August 2022, was charged with taking £230,875 from the charity via numerous bank transfers.
He pleaded guilty at Sheffield Crown Court on 26 July to fraud by abuse of his position.
BARC’s committee said in a statement: “This has been a difficult and disappointing time for our charity and was reported immediately to the Charity Commission and the Barnsley C.I.D. who have dealt with this matter on our behalf.”
Proctor was bailed ahead of a sentencing hearing on 4 October.
According to the charity’s accounts filed with the Commission, Proctor was paid nearly £60,000 by the charity in the five financial years to March 2020. Another trustee, Kathleen Bailey, was also paid a similar amount.
The accounts state: “This remuneration reflects their contributions to the charity’s work and the hours spent on the charity’s affairs.”
The charity, which registered in 1996, recorded an income of £533,000 in 2022-23 and costs of £471,000.
Some £483,000 of its income came through sales at its eight charity shops.
A spokesperson for the Commission said: “We can confirm that we opened a regulatory compliance case into Barnsley and District Animal Rescue Charity in 2022 regarding alleged fraudulent activity by its former treasurer.
“We engaged with the trustees to gather more information and determine any next steps on concerns that fell within our remit.
“We were assured that the trustees had taken appropriate steps after being made aware of the allegations.”
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