Charity Director Jailed for Stealing from the Needy

A Bradford charity director, Claire Tempest, 39, has been sentenced to eight months in prison for stealing nearly £3,000 from the organisation she led. The former head of the unregistered charity "Helping Hands" was convicted of fraud after she used the funds to pay for personal expenses, including shopping, travel, and takeaway meals. The verdict, delivered at Bradford Magistrates' Court on Monday, saw Tempest sentenced to immediate imprisonment.

The court heard that Tempest, who had pleaded guilty to the fraud charges in July, misappropriated £2,945.80 from the charity’s accounts between August 8, 2023, and January 3, 2025. In addition to her jail term, Deputy District Judge Wallace ordered her to pay £2,000 to a local charitable organisation by March 2026.

"Helping Hands" operated as a vital community lifeline in the Bierley area of Bradford, distributing essential goods like food, furniture, and hygiene products to those in need. The organisation, run primarily through Facebook, had become a trusted source of support for vulnerable local residents, despite its lack of formal charity registration.

The fraud came to light when concerns over financial transparency were raised by the charity's treasurer, Claire Grove. Grove's repeated requests for bank statements were met with evasion and refusal from Tempest, who claimed, "she didn't have to prove anything to anyone." These evasive actions prompted Grove to resign and report her suspicions to other moderators, leading to a formal report with Action Fraud.

During the investigation, police uncovered 54 payments totaling approximately £2,500 that were transferred to Tempest's partner, along with 28 transactions for Uber and Uber Eats services.

Deputy District Judge Wallace acknowledged that Tempest had initially started the charity with good intentions, but noted a turning point where she "decided to help herself to the funds." The judge emphasized that such actions "undermine trust and public confidence in charitable donations" and would not be tolerated.

In a brief statement to the court, a tearful Tempest said, "I'd just like to say that I'm sorry." Her defence solicitor, Sharan Dosanjh, described the theft as "an act of desperation" and noted the severe public humiliation, including online harassment and death threats, that Tempest had already endured. Dosanjh maintained that her client was genuinely remorseful for her actions.