Aimufua got a job as a pay administrator for Morley-based business Sims Metal Management in early 2019. In April that year, she opened a bank account in her father’s name and directed customers to pay into the account 22 times, using false paperwork. She pocketed a total of £15,876.17.
She has four previous convictions for 14 offences, including 12 for fraud. In 2012 she was convicted after she arranged the sale of footwear via Facebook, but didn’t send out the goods.Mitigating for Aimufua, Vincent Blake-Barnard said that she was a “completely different individual” since committing the crimes, now a single parent to three young children aged one, two and three.
Mr Blake-Barnard said: “This is a young lady who is absolutely terrified of going to prison and losing connection with her children. She is deeply remorseful and deeply regretful. She understands the implications and ramifications for her children moving forward. Her children are now her entire life.”Aimufua was sentenced to two years in prison, which Judge Bayliss suspended for two years, citing the “significant impact” that immediate jail time would have on her three young children.
Passing his sentencing remarks, Judge Bayliss said: “When it came to facing the music, you kept putting off the evil day - citing Covid so you couldn’t be interviewed. When it came to trial there were issues, all in my judgement manipulative behaviour on your part. You literally had to be dragged to court to face this sentence.