At a trial at Hove Crown Court, Jeanette Gardner of Hailsham, was convicted of fraud by abuse of position related to the theft of an estimated £100,000 in funds from Hailsham Memorial Institute.

Gardner was an administrator for Hailsham Memorial Institute, a club established in 1920 in memory of a local soldier who lost his life during the First World War.

She was appointed to the paid role of administrator in 2006 and had absolute financial control of the club. However, in 2019, club members became concerned about Gardner’s actions when they failed to receive confirmation of receipt of funds raised at a ‘Full Monty’ charity event held by the club in aid of Orchid Cancer Charity.

After an internal investigation, Gardner was dismissed in August 2019 and the matter was reported to Sussex Police.