A book keeper from Ruislip stole £20,000 from an ‘ugly’ models agency after the firm tried to help her settle her debts, a court heard.
Charlotte Harris, 31, was employed for Ugly Enterprises Ltd, an agency, which has provided actors for James Bond and Harry Potter films.
Instead of paying models for their work, Harris forged her boss’s signature and paid company cheques into her mother’s bank account, Southwark Crown Court heard.
Prosecutor Carol Summers said Harris had been involved in all the business’ accounting matters and was ‘in charge of receiving payments from clients who used their models.
Ugly Enterprises discovered inaccuracies in their books, including 16 transfers between £10 and £300 made to Harris’ bank account.
There were then found to be, on further investigation, three cheques identified that had been drawn up and sent to another bank account.
Ms Summers said Harris cashed the cheques into her mother’s bank account.
Harris was interviewed by police in April 2018 but failed to tell them about a further 21 cheques she had paid into mother’s account – worth a total £19,316.
Ms Summers added that Mr French, the modelling boss had even been forced to pay external accountants to come in and sort out the company books after Harris made off with the cash.
Judge Jeffrey Pegden, QC, said the failure to pay the models had left Ugly Models with a ‘tarnished reputation,’ adding that it was ‘all because you abused your position as a member of that small team.
Harris, of Wingfield Way, admitted two counts of fraud by abuse of position.
She was handed 16 months in prison for each count, suspended for two years and ordered to repay £20,000 in £200 monthly instalments.
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