Overview

• Jemma Lewis pleaded guilty at Newport Crown Court to five counts of fraud by abuse of position and began serving a five-year concurrent sentence
• Between 2018 and 2023 she diverted over £3.6 million from family-owned companies, with net theft exceeding £2.4 million after legitimate pay
• Prosecutors revealed at least £1.4 million went to gambling firms and additional sums were spent on cryptocurrency platforms and luxury holidays
• Her actions left colleagues underpaid, blocked a long-serving employee from accessing her pension, forced a director’s resignation and caused tax shortfalls to HMRC
• Owner James Davies, who had supported her accountancy training, said the case highlights the need for stronger internal financial controls in small-to-mid-sized enterprises