Sunderland fraudster paid herself £30,000 through fake Asda shifts – but keeps freedom

Zoe Robinson-Vickers was employed by Bluestones Supply Chain, a recruitment partner in the logistics and industry sectors, and the supermarket was one of its biggest clients.

Newcastle Crown Court heard Robinson-Vickers used her position to access former Asda staff's records to pay herself for shifts, which they had never worked.

She was collared when it appeared one employee had clocked up 80 hours of shifts per week, which was against the company's working time directive.

An investigation revealed Robinson-Vickers had accessed the payroll system and altered bank details to pay herself for Asda shifts – and even holiday pay.

The 44-year-old, of Whitehill Road, Easington Lane, Sunderland, admitted fraud by abuse of position between February 2023 and February 2025.

Recorder Daniel Edwards said Robinson-Vickers' offending "crippled" her employer's firm, caused one staff member to be made redundant and left the managing director, who was proud of the firm's trusted reputation, "truly devastated".

But he added Robinson-Vickers had committed no other offending, was capable of rehabilitation and had shown remorse.

She was sentenced to two years, suspended for two years, with rehabilitation requirements and 200 hours of unpaid work.

Jamie Adams, mitigating, said Robinson-Vickers had repaid the money she took and had been caused severe distress due to delays in the case.

He added Robinson-Vickers took the money because she was in debt and told the court: "Her remorse has been vehement from the outset."