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A statement from Libraries Unlimited

Posted on 16 Jun 2020

This statement is in connection with the recent sentencing at Exeter Crown Court of a former temporary member of staff, Kim Bruce, on charges of defrauding Libraries Unlimited and another local charity between July 2017 and March 2019.  Ms Bruce was employed by Libraries Unlimited from January to June 2019.

Libraries Unlimited is grateful that Exeter Crown Court and Devon & Cornwall Police took this case seriously.  Ms Bruce admitted five counts of fraud and was jailed for a year and nine months, suspended for two years by Judge David Evans at Exeter Crown Court.

Judge Evans ordered Ms Bruce to do 210 hours of unpaid community work and 20 days of rehabilitation activities and set a timetable for a financial investigation under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Libraries Unlimited acted immediately on discovering irregularities in its accounts in 2019, reporting our concerns to the Police, and suspending and then dismissing Ms Bruce. We have closely co-operated with the Police on this issue, kept our staff, Trustees and key funders informed, and have further strengthened our financial controls and processes.

We’re grateful for the support of Devon & Cornwall Police in bringing this case to trial and are pleased that Ms Bruce has admitted the offences and has already repaid part of the stolen funds. We have been reassured that the remaining funds will also be recovered through the court process.

We remain deeply disappointed that someone would take advantage of a position of trust and especially in a charitable organisation that impacts hundreds of thousands of lives each year in Devon and Torbay.

If you have any questions, please contact info@librariesunlimited.org.uk

Libraries Unlimited believes…

…in the unlimited potential of library services to make a positive difference to people’s lives and communities through a shared love of reading and access to high quality information and facilities.