A FLOWER seller from Carlisle repeatedly used the debit card details of her shop's customers to raid their bank accounts, spending their cash on clothes, groceries, toys and a holiday.

Kellie Harper, 32, committed the offences while employed at a Carlisle branch of Same Day Flowers, Carlisle Crown Court heard.

The defendant, of the Knells, Houghton, pleaded guilty to seven offences: one allegation of fraud by abusing her position of trust – in order to send flowers to her family members without paying; and seven charges of fraud by false representation.

Prosecutor Gerard Rogerson said that the defendant began committing the offences in 2019, and over several months she committed frauds which – had all her attempts succeeded – would have have netted her goods worth more than £10,000.

By the time she was caught, she had succeeded in committing frauds with a total value of £7,827, said the prosecutor.

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Mr Rogerson outlined how the defendant’s offences came after she repeatedly abused the trust placed in her as she took over-the-phone orders, recording customer debit card payment details.

“She was employed by Flowers Same Day for approximately two years,” said Mr Rogerson. Between November, 2019 and August the following year, she arranged six flower orders for family members.

But Harper manipulated the shop's financial records to suggest that those orders were paid for when in fact they had not been. The value of those fraudulent orders was £189.

More seriously, said Mr Rogerson, were the numerous occasions when the defendant used customer debit card details which she kept after taking over the phone for orders to simply spend their money. 

One customer reported how in October of 2020 Harper took her order for flowers worth £40.99.

Like many orders, this request and payment was done over the phone.

The following day, the woman received a message from her bank, via a mobile phone banking app, requesting approval of a payment for £54.90 to a company the customer knew nothing about. 

“She knew straight away that she hadn’t purchased anything from that company,” Mr Rogerson told the court.

Over the following days, similar requests for payment approvals followed, including a £107 bill from Asda, a £116 request for payment to clothing firm Zara, and another £24.99 request from Spa Direct.

There were nine customers whose funds were raided, the court heard. When the offending came to light the defendant, a woman of previous good character, offered to resign.

Mr Rogerson added that Harper had a previous caustion from 2010 for stealing from another employer.

Jeff Smith, defending, said that at the time of the offending Harper was in a relationship which was coming to an end and now has ended. “She was very, very short of money and didn’t know how to deal with the problems she was facing,” said Mr Smith.

Harper had shown genuine remorse, said the lawyer.

She regarded the people she worked with at Flowers Same Day as friends and knew as soon as her crimes were discovered that what she had done was “appalling and unforgiveable.” As soon as the crimes came to light, she apologised to her employer.

Mr Smith added: “She is a lady who is clearly capable of rehabilitation.”

Judge Nicholas Barker said the defendant’s fraud offences were essentially examples of stealing other people’s money. She created false invoices to cover her tracks and she dishonestly spent cusotmers' money by using their debit card details to buy goods.

“You were able to do this because you were in a position of trust and responsibility,” said the judge. Her victims bought flowers believing their security and confidentiality would be respected.

“You breached that trust and responsibility,” continued the judge, pointing out that such actions undermined the payment method used by Flowers Same Day for customer who may have needed thsoe flowers for celebrations such as birthdays or funerals.

“So there’s a double aspect to the distress caused,” said the judge. The fraud took place over a prolonged period and involved numerous transactions.

Judge Barker imposed a 10-month jail term but suspended this for 18 months after noting the defendant’s lack of previous convictions and her personal circumstances, including the fact that she was the mother of three young children.

Harper must also complete 15 rehabilitation activity days with the Probation Service. There was no application under the Proceeds of Crime Act. The defendant was supported in court by her mother.

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