Natalie Tither cried in the dock as she was given a two-year suspended sentence (pictured arriving at Blackfriars Crown Court)
A film producer who used her production company’s credit card to splash out £40,000 on luxury holidays and nights out wept in court as she was spared jail.
Natalie Tither had previously admitted one count of fraud by position after using the company credit card belonging to Casual Films.
She used her card to pay for food and drinks for friends, furniture for her new home and removal expenses.
The 30-year-old also racked up hundreds of unauthorised Uber journeys on the company’s account between January and December 2016.
At Blackfriars Crown Court today, Tither, of Wigan, Greater Manchester, was given a suspended sentence for the single charge.
Judge Recorder Steven Gasztowicz QC said: ‘The company was deprived of a substantial sum of money over a period of time.
‘Damage has no doubt been caused to the reputation of the company as well as embarrassment.
‘You failed to be forthcoming when challenged about what you had done and others are likely to have been distressed by your behaviour and your conduct..
‘All this amounts to a serious offence of fraud.’
Natalie Tither had previously admitted one count of fraud, having used a company card to pay for food and drinks for friends, furniture for her new home and removal expenses
He added: ‘Your professional career, one would imagine, in the film industry will be over. You have no previous convictions and you are of good character.’
The judge said the offence was so serious that only a custodial sentence was appropriate, but was prepared for it to be suspended.
Tither was sentenced to two years, suspended for two years and ordered to carry out 275 hours of unpaid work.
She was also made the subject of curfew from 7pm to 6am, to run for nine months and also ordered to pay a victim surcharge.
The judge also made a depravation order be made on all items which were still being kept in the storage unit, including the fraudulently purchased furniture.
As the sentenced was passed down Tither was seen crying in the dock, and members of the family who packed out the public gallery also broke down in tears.
The 30-year-old also racked up hundreds of unauthorised Uber journeys on the company’s account between January and December 2016