An online bingo player stole over £12,000 from her boss to pay off her losses. Sujata Chaudhry, 33, nightly online addiction lead to significant debts on both creadit and debit cards. Teeside Crown Court heard how the woman had stole the money over the period of 15 months from the NETA training charity in Middlesbrough.

Sujata was first suspected in September 2007 and again in March last year. She pleaded guilty to three charges of fraud by abuse of position. Chaudhry, of Cambridge Road, Middlesbrough, worked in NETA’s administration department and she fiddled repayments to herself totalling £12,519 from block bookings for training courses.

Fortunately she can repay the cash from an inheritance from her dead father’s will. My client and her two sisters have inherited a £400,000 house and £30,000 cash, said her barrister Paul Abrahams.

He claimed she had learnt a lesson from her addiction to online bingo, and she would be able to repay the money within 28 days.

He added: “She had been playing online bingo, sitting in the house at night with a computer. I am sure she involved herself in that because of boredom, and it may be that if she goes out and does something that may be of benefit.”

Prosecutor Richard Wilson told the court: “I am aware that she has come into a substantial inheritance.”

Judge Bryan Forster QC told her: “You had become very much involved, if not addicted to online bingo, and that is the danger of being involved in something that is so accessible.”

“It is very much in your interest to discuss any ongoing problems you have with your probation officer so that you do not get into this situation again.” Added the Judge.

Sujata was found guilty and given an eight-month jail sentence suspended for 12 months with supervision. She faces a proceeds of crime application for £12,519 and £340 prosecution costs.

Bingosupermarket would remind anyone that feels they may have a problem with gambling or if you know someone that does then please contact GamCare for support and advice.