A garden centre director has been put behind bars after she was found to have stolen thousands of pounds from the business.
Deborah Buffery, 57, who had worked as finance director for Bristol's Riverside Garden Centre since 2002, pleaded guilty at Bristol Crown Court to two charges of fraud.

The court heard that she had diverted a total of £65,000 to herself, which, despite being well-off, she used to pay off her son's debts and on shopping trips. Buffery, who was solely in charge of the finances at the garden centre, received a 12-month jail sentence.

Buffery committed her crimes by writing herself cheques or by 'paying' a fake supplier. Meanwhile, losses mounted at the garden centre and the employees' pay was hit.

When suspicions grew and Buffery refused to supply her computer password, the business brought in an IT consultant to unlock it.

In sentencing, Judge Michael Roach told her she should be ashamed, adding: "I bear in mind your previous good character and your age. I take account of the fact that to fund your children, particularly your son, you were funding a lifestyle too. By the money you took you could preserve the lifestyle you had and give the money you had to your children."

Garden centre director Steve Shaw said: "This has, needless to say, been a very difficult time for all involved with Riverside Garden Centre.

"That such a thing happened here was an unimaginable shock to all of us and demonstrates a betrayal of trust by Mrs Buffery of the highest order that we still find hard to comprehend to this day.

"We are fortunate that our business is robust and that we have been able to withstand the losses incurred."