A “highly-trusted” retail boss spent over three years siphoning thousands of pounds from two companies, a court heard.

Anna Hodgson of Lisbon Road, Southampton, transferred money to her accounts from both CEX and Shuropody by faking refunds and using cash reserves.

The 39-year-old worked as a manager at both companies and was in a “trusted” position when it came to their finances.

The court heard that between July 1, 2019, and July 29, 2020, Hodgson was creating fake invoices and transferring money to herself and companies she ran whilst at CEX.

As a manager of the company’s trial business venture KiDX, she dishonestly abused her position by transferring £20,708.30 to her accounts.

Daily Echo: Anna Hodgson Anna Hodgson (Image: Maya George, Newsquest)

Prosecuting, Mary Aspinall-Miles told the court: “CEX were expected to keep a cash float. If the cash reserves are low, the manager would ask head office for a cash injection.

“There’s one bank card registered to the manager and they are authorised to withdraw the money from various cash points.

“She was creating false invoices and paying companies she ran.

“One of the invoices was made to a company called Pure Services which a call was made to, and Hodgson answered.

“She hung up and any other attempt to raise it with her was proved fruitless.”

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She added: “This is a fairly standard employee fraud. She was a highly-trusted position in terms of the one bank card that was authorised for use.”

And in the same year, Hodgson then went on to siphon money from footwear store Shuropody.

A total of £4,868.16 was taken from March 1, 2020, to October 31, 2021.

Ms Aspinall-Miles said: “Again, she was in a trusted position. She was siphoning off petty cash from the company by raising faulty receipts and refunding the cash to herself.”

She told the court how the company noticed a “pattern emerging” which was not present when Hodgson took annual leave.

She was asked twice about the missing money but denied any wrongdoing.

Ms Aspinall-Miles continued: “Shuropody said they would not involve the police if she admitted it and agreed to repay the manager and do so in 12 months and she never did.

“As a result, they reported it to the police.”

Hodgson pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud by abuse of position.

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Defending, Chris Gaiger said she is “extremely remorseful".

Mr Gaiger told the court: “Miss Hodgson states that she woefully let herself and everybody else down.

“Miss Hodgson is extremely remorseful and she made full admissions and pleaded guilty.

“This has hung over her for a considerable amount of time.

“She has made steps since to try and improve her situation and she has reached a debt management agreement with her creditors.

“There’s a realistic prospect of rehabilitation and she has no previous convictions whatsoever.”

She was handed a suspended sentence by Judge Brian Forster along with 150 hours of unpaid work.

He said: “It’s clear to me you are a hardworking person and you have no previous convictions.

“You have become subject to what is a crippling debt.

“The crimes must attract a prison sentence which will be suspended. The 12-month sentence will be suspended for 18 months.

“You will undertake 150 hours of unpaid work and be under electronic curfew for four months from 8pm to 6am each day.

“And you will have the recommended 20 days of rehabilitation.”

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