An employee of a lettings agency operating in an affluent part of southern England is now awaiting sentence after being found guilty of fraud.

Nicole Knight is reported to have siphoned off rent money and deposits coming in to lettings agency Sansome and George, covering parts of Hampshire.

A court has heard that Knight, from Purley, created the image of a workaholic not allowing colleagues to access her emails. In reality, she was covering her tracks.

In court Knight admitted stealing £78,481.45 from the company between October 2020 and October 2023.

Director Paul Bampton said in a victim impact statement: “The emotional strain continues to take its toll. I’ve given my whole working life to this company… 28 years of blood, sweat and tears. This act, by a person I trusted, almost tore the business down.

“Would the business survive? What would be the impact on our reputation? The burden was huge; I struggle to understand how someone could be so selfish… she has a total lack of remorse for her sickening greed and dreadful actions.”

Bampton said he felt ashamed for having trusted Knight and added: “We used all the reserve funds the business had to put things right… we had to pay far in excess of what she’s been charged with.”

Knight has been released on unconditional bail until being sentenced by a judge sitting at Reading Crown Court on a date to be fixed.

You can see the Newbury Today report of the court proceedings so far here: https://www.newburytoday.co.uk/news/employee-stole-almost-80-000-from-estate-agents-9421511/?state=