TWO Bradford Next employees have dodged immediate jail sentences after being charged with fraud offences.

Talia Horner, 33, of Buttershaw Drive, Buttershaw, and Lindsey Butterfield, 45, of Tong Lane, Tong, appeared before Bradford and Keighley Magistrates’ Court this week.

Horner was charged with two counts of fraud by abuse of position.

The first charge was as follows: “On 05/07/2019 - 27/10/2019 at Bradford committed fraud in that, while occupying a position, namely an employee of Next Retail Ltd, in which you were expected to safeguard, or not to act against, the financial interests of Next Retail Ltd, you dishonestly abused that position intending thereby to make a gain, namely financial loss, for others unknown.”

The full details of the second charge were: “On 05/07/2019 - 27/10/2019 at Bradford jointly with Lindsey Butterfield committed fraud in that, while occupying a position, namely an employee of Next Retail Ltd, in which you were expected to safeguard, or not to act against, the financial interests of Next Retail Ltd, you dishonestly abused that position intending thereby to make a gain, namely financial reward, for yourself.”

Butterfield was charged with one count of fraud by abuse of position.

The details were: “On 05/07/2019 - 27/10/2019 at BRADFORD jointly with Talia Horner committed fraud in that, while occupying a position, namely an employee of Next Retail Ltd, in which you were expected to safeguard, or not to act against, the financial interests of Next Retail Ltd, you dishonestly abused that position intending thereby to make a gain, namely financial reward, for yourself.”

Horner was sent to jail for 17 weeks, but the sentence was suspended for one year.

The reason for a custodial sentence was due to the seriousness of the offence, but court documents state it was suspended as the defendant has a young child and no-one to look after them “therefore harmful impact on others would occur” if she was sent to prison.

She will have to carry out a maximum of 15 days’ Rehabilitation Activity Requirement.

Horner must also pay compensation of £801 and a surcharge to fund victim services of £128.

Butterfield received the same sentence and magistrates suspended it for the same reason as Horner.

She was ordered to pay compensation of £1,352 as well as the £128 surcharge to fund victim services.