Deputy head scammed free school meals to fund gambling habit

Daniel Reynolds, 36, submitted false invoices in order to claim for food provided to disadvantaged pupils even though some had not been bought but had instead been donated free of charge by local organisations.

Norwich Crown Court was told he was already in the grip of a serious gambling addiction when he was made assistant head at West Earlham Junior School in Norwich.

Reynolds created false invoices for food in school holiday free school meals despite it having been donated (Image: PA)

But when put in charge of overseeing a government-funded scheme to provide school holiday food and activities for children eligible for free school meals he used it to steal £8,520 to fund his betting habit.  

READ MORE: Norwich deputy head admits defrauding free school meals

Reynolds, of Avocet Rise, Norwich, was sacked in October 2022 when his scam came to light after Norfolk County Council launched an investigation.

Sentencing him to 10 months suspended for 18 months, Judge Anthony Bate said it had been an “egregious breach of trust”.

“This was initially an honest and worthwhile activity that benefited the community but then you exploited it for your own dishonesty,” he added.

Daniel Reynolds was sentenced to 10 months suspended for 18 months (Image: Newsquest)

Reynolds wept in the dock as he was spared an immediate jail term having previously admitted three charges of fraud by false representation and making false documents.

Demand for free school meals rose sharply during the pandemic and extra government funding to extend them into the holidays was provided following a high-profile campaign spearheaded by footballer Marcus Rashford.

READ MORE: Demand for free school meals 'rises sharply' in pandemic

Chris Youell, prosecuting, said Reynolds had submitted false claims for funds from the Our Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) scheme during the summer and Christmas holidays in 2021 and Easter holidays in 2022.

“He was given quite a lot of autonomy about how the money was used, rather too much autonomy as he started to use it dishonestly,” he added.

Daniel Reynolds was deputy head at West Earlham Junior School until he was dismissed in October 2022 (Image: Google)

Among the fake invoices he submitted was for a Christmas event despite food items for it having been donated by a local hotel, the court heard.

When council officials began an audit after suspicions were raised he then submitted “utterly bogus” receipts in an attempt to cover his tracks.

READ MORE: Record number of Norfolk children receive free school meals

READ MORE: Why this city school has set up its own food bank to feed families

The court was told that despite his scam the school holiday activities had still taken place and no children had lost out. 

David Tremain, for Reynolds, said it had been a “one-off offence” motivated by the need to earn “a bit of extra income, the background being his gambling addiction that he was trying to hide from his family”.

Reynolds hid behind an umbrella as he ran from Norwich Crown Court after being sentenced (Image: Newsquest)Reynolds hid behind an umbrella as he ran from Norwich Crown Court after being sentenced (Image: Newsquest)Reynolds hid behind an umbrella as he ran from Norwich Crown Court after being sentenced (Image: Newsquest)

He had sought help through his fraud to deal with his gambling disorder including registering for self-exclusion from online gambling and high street betting shops, he added. 

Mr Tremain said he had also shown remorse over the impact on the reputation of the school “which is something he had helped build”.

Ordering him to do 300 hours unpaid work and 10 rehabilitation days, Judge Anthony Bate told Reynolds: “You let down your colleagues, senior staff, parents and the children. You should hang your head in shame.”