GP surgery's finance boss jailed for £450k fraud

The former finance manager of a GP surgery has been jailed after she masterminded a "calculated and sustained fraud" in which more than £450,000 was taken from its accounts.

Lauren Millington, 43, worked at the Waterfield Practice in Bracknell, Berkshire, when she moved the money between February 2021 and November 2024.

Millington, of Hook, Hampshire, diverted a total of £456,666.40 from the practice into several bank accounts belonging to her and a man, Roger Happe, who received £25,190.57.

She was jailed for three years and two months at Reading Crown Court on Thursday after admitting two counts of fraud by abuse of position and another of concealing criminal property.

An investigation was launched after the practice reported concerns about irregular payments that seemed to have been made to external medical suppliers.

It uncovered that legitimate banking details of companies had been deliberately changed so that money was funnelled into accounts controlled by Millington.

Det Con Jagdip Sekhon, from Thames Valley Police, said: "This was a calculated and sustained fraud in which Lauren Millington abused positions of trust to divert substantial sums of money for personal gain.

"Her actions were sophisticated and premeditated, involving the manipulation of company systems, the creation of fake invoices and the use of personal bank accounts to conceal her activity over several years."

Happe, 44, from Egham, Surrey, was sentenced to nine months in prison, suspended for two years. He must also complete 100 hours of community service.

He admitted one count of acquiring, using or possessing criminal property.

In a statement, the surgery said it, its patients and staff were "all victims in a case of a betrayal by a former colleague who was in a position of trust."

It added: "We would like to thank our staff who uncovered the fraud and Thames Valley Police and Crown Prosecution Service for their support in bringing about the successful convictions.

"We hope the sentencing brings closure to these matters."