Pair sentenced for taking thousands of pounds from Leicester theatre

A couple who fraudulently took more than £800,000 from Curve Theatre have been sentenced.

Karen and Graham McGowan’s crimes were uncovered in April 2019 when it was found that £868,804.31 had been taken from the theatre’s accounts over a period of 16 months – and paid into a bank account in Graham’s name.

Karen was employed by the theatre, but Graham had never been an employee. However, in each case the money was quickly laundered into a bank account in his name.

An investigation by Leicestershire Police’s Economic Crime Unit (ECU) was able to determine that she abused her position as head of finance to move the funds into her control.

Karen McGowan, 50, was subsequently charged with two counts of fraud by abuse of position and one count of concealing/disguising/converting/transferring/removing criminal property. She pleaded guilty to all charges during a hearing at Leicester Crown Court on 7 March 2023.

Graham McGowan, 57, was charged with one count of entering an arrangement which he knew or suspected facilitated the acquisition, retention, use or control of criminal property. He pleaded not guilty and a trial started on Monday (23 September). However, the following day he changed his plea to guilty.

Karen McGowan

Today (Friday 27 September) Karen, of Harlequin Road, Sileby, was sentenced to four years and 10 months’ imprisonment.

Graham, also of Harlequin Road, Sileby, was today given a 23 months prison sentence suspended for two years.

Nicole McIntyre, from the force’s Economic Crime Unit (ECU), said: “The fraud came to light with the high volume of bank transfers and the significant amounts of money that were involved.

“The money Karen took was used to fund her extensive gambling habit.

"She carried out a callous act knowing that as part of her job she was entrusted to manage the charity’s finances, taking full advantage of the trust that was placed in her and her role."

“On top of this, at no point did Graham contact the theatre, his bank or the police to report that such a large sum of money had appeared in his account – as you would expect him to do if he was unaware of what she was doing.

“The fact he didn’t notify the authorities is a clear indicator – later confirmed by his guilty plea – that he was complicit.

“I hope today’s outcome really brings home the impact of the couple’s actions and makes them reflect on their wrongdoing.”

Curve’s Chief Executive Chris Stafford and Artistic Director Nikolai Foster said: “In early 2019 we discovered Curve had been a victim of fraud. Karen McGowan, a former member of staff, has pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud by abuse of position and one count of concealing/disguising/converting/transferring/removing criminal property. Her husband, Graham McGowan, has pleaded guilty to one count of entering an arrangement which he knew or suspected facilitated the acquisition, retention, use or control of criminal property.

"Although this was an incredibly challenging time for our theatre, the day-to-day business of Curve has not been affected by the fraud and we have continued to go from strength to strength.

"We will now begin the process of recovering funds, and we would like to thank the team at Leicestershire Police, especially Nicole McIntyre and Meryl Bishop, who worked tirelessly to secure justice for our theatre.

"We'd also like to thank Board members of Leicester Theatre Trust past and present, as well as Arts Council England for their unwavering support."

Sita McIntosh (Chair of Leicester Trust 2022 to present) and Ian Squires (Chair of Leicester Theatre Trust 2016 to 2022) said: “Our sincere thanks must be given to the incredible leadership of Chris Stafford, Nikolai Foster, Curve Executive Team and Board Members of Leicester Theatre Trust. Despite this deceitful crime being discovered in 2019, the leadership of Curve has worked tirelessly to ensure that our theatre continues to thrive and serve its audiences and local communities. As ever, we are committed to focusing our energies on the future and the incredible work that is delivered by this inspiring and dedicated team.”