Getty Images
Claire Walsh defrauded Chelsea FC between June 2019 and October 2023
A former assistant treasury manager at Chelsea Football Club has avoided jail after defrauding the club of more than £200,000 through false ticket refunds.
Claire Walsh, from Chelsea, admitted dishonestly abusing her position to obtain £208,521.65 between 8 June 2019 and 23 October 2023.
The 39-year-old was sentenced to two years' imprisonment suspended for 18 months at Isleworth Crown Court.
Prosecutor Alex Alawode told the court Walsh had been "creating false refunds for tickets that had not been put onto the exchange site".`
Chelsea season ticket holders who cannot attend a home game can list their seats for resale on the club's official exchange. Walsh's role involved administering manual refunds.
Alawode added: "No tickets existed – she was simply creating a refund as if a ticket did exist on the sheet."
An investigation revealed an "unusually high number of manual refunds on credit cards established to be in the name of and belonging to the defendant".
Sentencing Walsh, Judge Fiona Barrie said: "This is plainly an abuse of trust.
"You held a responsible and trusted position in the finance department and were trusted to handle large sums of money, and you used that position to defraud your employer."
The judge said the offence was "driven by a desire to help your family who were struggling" and noted Walsh had no previous convictions.
Walsh, who joined Chelsea in 2007, told the club when confronted about the refunds that her mother was terminally ill and she had fallen into debt while trying to provide for her family. She resigned immediately.
She said she had spent all the money, some on supporting her parents, and much on gifts, trips and holidays with family and friends.
Walsh was also ordered to complete up to 25 days of rehabilitation activity and 200 hours of unpaid community work.
No costs or compensation were sought by Chelsea Football Club.
More related to this story
