A primary school disco was cancelled after a parent and teacher association (PTA) treasurer siphoned off thousands of pounds from the organisation's funds. Nicola Kennerley, 49, stole £10,000 over several years while serving as treasurer at Holy Family Catholic Primary School in Halewood, Merseyside.
The bank worker used the stolen money to pay for her Amazon Prime subscription and Xbox games. The theft came to light in April last year when Kennerley stepped down from her role and told her successor there were 'no funds left for the rest of the year'. The new treasurer expected around £1,800 to remain.
Kennerley suggested closing the Barclays bank account, where she worked as a mortgage advisor, and opening a new one. She provided a balance of £1,720, which she claimed she had borrowed from her father. However, when bank statements were finally disclosed in September 2024, it was discovered that £10,000 was missing, with suspicious transactions including payments for Amazon Prime, Amazon Music and Xbox subscriptions.
In a statement read to Liverpool Crown Court, the PTA's new treasurers said: 'The funds that were stolen were intended to directly support the wellbeing, development and experiences of the children in the school. That has had significant and lasting consequences for our community. Our children lost out on valuable opportunities and experiences. We were unable to hold discos and summer fairs.'
Heidi Green, whom Kennerley recruited as co-chairman of the PTA, said she felt 'overwhelmed, disappointed, betrayed, heartbroken and upset'. She added: 'I thought we were friends. I don't think I will ever understand why you did what you did.' Kennerley, who has no previous convictions, told police she had been in an abusive relationship and became dependent on alcohol, using the funds to stay afloat financially, and always intended to pay the money back.
