A WOMAN who tried to launder more than £280,000 of stolen charity money has been locked up despite pleas to a recorder for “a second chance”.

Oluwabunmi Tejuoso had denied she tried to acquire and distribute the criminal property, but was convicted by a jury.

Basildon Crown Court heard that the 44-year-old had £282,745.24 transferred into her bank account at some point between November 2016 and April 2017, and within “minutes” she had transferred it into other accounts belonging to or managed by her.

Tejuoso, a mum of two who previously worked as a childminder, was found to have acquired the funds which had been taken from a charity, the name of which was not disclosed.

The court heard that the company organising the charity’s funds had managed to freeze the account, and most of the money was recovered, but £30,000 was lost and remains missing.

Despite denying the crime at trial, Tejuoso made an emotional plea to Recorder Sarah Clarke QC to not send her to prison.

In a letter read to the court, she said: “I am deeply sorry for all the impact my actions must have caused.

“I realise I was wrong.

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“It is a serious crime, please your honour find it in your heart to forgive me and give me a second chance to become a better person.”

Tejuoso’s children also wrote letters to court, asking Recorder Clarke to “forgive mum” and not send her to prison, saying life would be “boring” without her.

Despite this, Recorder Clarke said custody was the only option, saying Tejuoso, of Church Hollow, Purfleet, had lied to the police and the jury.

Sentencing her to 30 months in prison, the Recorder said: “The charity is not out of pocket but the company managing the charity’s funds are still out of pocket.

“It’s inconceivable that you would engage in this unless there was financial incentive.

“Your actions were dishonest and deceitful.

“You have shown some remorse but that’s mainly for you and not for the charity or the company that’s out of pocket.”