Funeral director stole from charities
A Cheddar funeral director has admitted taking money that was donated in memory of loved ones and faking letters from the charities to conceal the crime.
Alison Pople, 50, appeared before Taunton Crown Court and admitted that between April 9, 2011 and April 29, 2014, she had failed to send funds donated by bereaved friends and family to good causes in memory of the recently deceased, reports Somersetlive.
Judge David Ticehurst warned her he was considering ‘all options’ – including an immediate prison sentence – when it came to sentencing her.
Pople admitted faking letters from charities including Weston Hospice Care, Help for Heroes and the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, in the hope of hiding her behaviour.
Pople was the co-owner of George Williams Funeral Directors, and was one of the highest qualified funeral directors in the country.
Patrick Mason, defending, said Mrs Pople had never been in trouble before and asked for the hearing to be adjourned so a psychiatric assessment could be carried out.
Pople is due back before court for sentencing on August 3.
