University finance boss who blew £2.4million stolen over three decades jailed for six years
A UNIVERSITY finance boss who blew £2.4million stolen over three decades on eating out and holidays was jailed for six years.
David Hall, 64, faced nine years but a judge slashed the sentence for his staggering fraud because he admitted it at the first opportunity.
His Honour Judge Roger Chapple told him: “The scale and breadth of your dishonesty over 30 years is breath-taking.
“It was systematic, persistent dishonesty causing stress, heartache and pressure on other employees.
“Where did it go? On holidays and fine dining.”
Hall falsified records to defraud the University of Brighton where he was the head of accounts.
Suspicious colleagues alerted cops and a probe exposed the cover-ups, Hove crown court heard.
Hall, of Ringmer, East Sussex, had earlier admitted fraud by abuse of position, theft by an employee and false accounting.
Police investigator Rose Horan said later: “Despite 30 years of dishonesty, the judge considered Mr Hall’s candour once his actions were uncovered, and reduced what would’ve been a nine-year sentence by one third.”