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<\/a>An employee left an estate agency facing near bankruptcy after stealing close to \u00a380,000 in rent money and deposits from customers of estate agents Sansome and George, which has offices covering Kingsclere and Newbury, Theale, Mortimer and Tadley.<\/p>\nNicole Knight, 52, of St Mary\u2019s Avenue, Purley, was a trusted employee, leaving company directors devastated to discover her deceit.<\/p>\n
Directors told the court the business nearly went under and continues to deal with the financial and emotional repercussions of Knight\u2019s actions.<\/p>\n
Knight was only caught because of errors which led to an audit, according to\u00a0Donna Tulio, prosecuting.<\/p>\n
It transpired that Knight had been stealing tens of thousands of pounds and hiding the funds in various bank accounts.<\/p>\n
Knight admitted stealing \u00a378,481.45 from the estate agency between 14 October 2020 and 10 October 2023.<\/p>\n
Director Paul Bampton said in a victim impact statement: \u201cThe emotional strain continues to take its toll.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve given my whole working life to this company\u2026 28 years of blood, sweat and tears.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis act, by a person I trusted, almost tore the business down.<\/p>\n
\u201cWould the business survive?<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat would be the impact on our reputation?<\/p>\n
\u201cThe burden was huge; I struggle to understand how someone could be so selfish\u2026 she has a total lack of remorse for her sickening greed and dreadful actions.\u201d<\/p>\n
Another director, Charles Hayes, told the court: \u201cWe built our reputation on trust and reliability\u2026 her actions affected our business, our clients and the community.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe treat our employees like family and our reputation is everything to us.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe emotional toll has been devastating; we\u2019re still finding evidence of stolen money \u2013 it\u2019s ongoing.<\/p>\n
\u201cOn a personal level the sense of betrayal has been overwhelming; we considered her a friend and supported her through difficult times.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re still having to reimburse clients on a daily basis.\u201d<\/p>\n
Knight, released on unconditional bail, will\u00a0 be sentenced at Reading Crown Court on a date to be fixed.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/propertyindustryeye.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/legal-6.jpg\")
<\/a>An employee left an estate agency facing near bankruptcy after stealing close to \u00a380,000 in rent money and deposits from customers of estate agents Sansome and George, which has offices covering Kingsclere and Newbury, Theale, Mortimer and Tadley.<\/p>\n