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A 26-year-old man has escaped jail after admitting he stole from a cancer charity as well as businesses in Belfast, Cookstown and Limavady.

Matthew Neilly, from Shore Road in Newtownabbey , paid £29,800 back before his sentencing at Omagh Crown Court on Thursday (Oct 3).

The detectives who investigated his crimes welcomed the sentence of a year behind bars, which was suspended for three years.

Neilly, who is originally from Limavady and has also lived in Ballymoney, pleaded guilty in May to a number of offences including including fraud by abuse of position of trust and theft from a number of businesses in which he was employed back.

His sentencing, originally planned for June, was pushed back to this month.

Detective Inspector Pete McKenna said: "The victims in his crimes included a charity and local business outlets in the Cookstown, Belfast and Limavady areas.

"He showed a callous disregard for those he chose to defraud. He took money from hard working business people who chose to earn an honest, decent living. People who put back into their community, who offer employment to local people.

"He also ran a fashion show for a charity and did not submit the funds raised. He decided to swindle people who attended this show who believed the money they gave would be used to help others in their time of most need. He did not care who he hurt or how he appropriated his money.

"His offending demonstrated a high degree of planning and preparation in his manipulation of people.

"I hope this sentencing sends out a clear message to anyone who thinks they can get away with this type of crime. We will work tirelessly to bring offenders before the courts so that that victims receive the justice they deserve.

"I would ask anyone who believes they are a victim of fraud to contact police on the non-emergency number 101.”

Neilly carried out his offences between December 2014 and February 2016. He abused positions of trust, distorted till records and voided sales for his own benefit.

His victims included Cancer Research UK, L.A Interiors and Herbert Gould Home Ltd.

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