Illogan secretary Helen Hart faces jail over fraud of £400,000

A former company employee has admitted swindling nearly £400,000 from her firm to pay her rent and charter a private jet.

Helen Hart, 46, yesterday pleaded guilty to 18 charges of fraud, theft and deception between October 2005 and May 2012 while employed with PDP Green Consultants Ltd, in Truro.

Hart had originally planned to contest some of the allegations. The case against her will be heard on March 1, when she is due to be sentenced. But judge John Neligan, sitting at Truro Crown Court, said she should expect a custodial sentence.

Hart admitted 14 counts of fraud, three of obtaining a money transfer by deception, and one of theft. The court heard she used the money to pay her rent and water bills, as well as £5,990 to charter a private jet between Exeter and Paris.

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Hart, of The Firs, Illogan, also spent £46,000 on a Mercedes car, the court heard.

Piers Norsworthy, defending, asked for the sentencing to be delayed until March 1, allowing Hart, who was released on conditional bail, time to "get her affairs in order", as well as "saying goodbye" to her ill mother and her father.