Former finance director who stole to feed drug habit jailed for 16 months

A former Warrington Finance Director who stole almost £30,000 from his employers to feed his £150 a day cocaine habit has been jailed for 16 months.
Craig Stockham, aged 33, former Finance Director for LiveWire and Culture Warrington, admitted stealing from his employers LiveWirte and Culture Warrington.
Stockham, (pictured right) of Holywell, Flintshire, North Wales, pleaded guilty to thefts totalling £29,169.
He had worked for LiveWire and Culture Warrington since the inception of both companies back in May 2012.
When internal checks in November 2014 discovered potential theft traceable to Stockham he was immediately suspended from his duties whilst a full criminal investigation took place. He was later dismissed.
The court heard that Stockham falsified invoices and paid money into his own account, using it to feed a £150 a day cocaine habit.
After the hearing Jan Souness, Managing Director, LiveWire & Culture Warrington said: “I feel the sentence given to Craig Stockham today reflected the seriousness of his offence and the personal impact it has had on both the board members and staff working in LiveWire and Culture Warrington to provide services for the people of the town.
“The team and I were devastated when his actions first came to light; however, we worked resiliently with our board, our Bank, insurers and external auditors in order to gain full clarity of the situation.
“Thankfully this work revealed that our procedures in-house processes are robust and that it was this, along with staff vigilance that led to the discovery of these issues in a timely manner. I can also confirm that we are insured against the theft that has occurred.
“We are a strong team and we have come together in managing this difficult situation, but it has been hard to come to terms with the discovery of the actions from of one of our most senior managers who was working in a job that required the highest level of integrity and trust.
“Both companies have continued to perform well during this difficult time with members and customers numbers increasing. We will of course continue to be diligent in terms of how we operate and at the same time look forward to the future with exciting projects on the way.”