Posted by An RSPCA trustee funded his ‘lavish lifestyle’ by swindling the animal charity out of over £100,000 during a five-year expenses scam for hotel stays and taxis, a court has heard.
David Mawson, 50, is accused of exploiting the charity’s bank accounts to enjoy hundreds of nights in hotels he was not entitled to, plus free journeys.
The prosecution say Mawson defrauded the charity of approximately £91,300 in hotel stays and approximately £10,000 in taxi fares. This case is about fraud, we say, Mr Mawson committed over a five-year period between 2012 and 2017
‘It was a fraud committed by Mr Mawson when he was a trustee of the RSPCA, so this was a serious breach of trust by him. ‘He had no right or permission to do what he did, despite anything he may say to the contrary and as such he acted dishonestly throughout.’
The court heard it is the local voluntary trustees who make the day-to-day decisions regarding charity shops, local animal welfare projects and have a legal responsibility.
Trustees are allowed to bill for ‘reasonable and necessary’ costs, but the jury were told the money should not be for personal benefit.
Mawson, of Staines Road, Twickenham has pleaded not guilty to one count of fraud by abuse of position between January 1, 2012 and December 21, 2017, namely while occupying the position of trustee he dishonestly abused that position regarding hotel and taxi expenses, intending to make financial gain.
The SELB has three charity shops in West Norwood, Grove Park and Sydenham and Mawson was the SELB Secretary since 2009.
‘He exercised control over the SELB’s bank accounts and was, we say, more active in the daily running than others, anyway more busy than he would admit.’So even if you were to give him the benefit of the doubt about some of the expenses it is difficult to see any defence to those bookings where no charity business was taking place or when his dodgy neighbour was in prison.’
The trial is expected to last seven days.
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