A female offender has been sentenced to prison for unlawfully redirecting nearly £500,000 from a medical practice in Berkshire. Lauren Millington, 43, residing in Hook, Hampshire, received a three-year and two-month jail term at Reading Crown Court. Meanwhile, Roger Happe, 44, from Egham, Surrey, was given a nine-month suspended sentence and ordered to perform 100 hours of community service.
Millington, a former finance manager at The Waterfield Practice in Bracknell from February 2021 to November 2024, admitted to two counts of fraud and one count of concealing criminal proceeds. Happe, on the other hand, pleaded guilty to acquiring and possessing criminal property on February 3.
The fraudulent activities came to light when the medical practice raised suspicions about irregular payments to external suppliers. Upon investigation, it was discovered that genuine company banking details had been tampered with, resulting in funds being diverted to personal accounts controlled by Millington and Happe. The authorities arrested the pair on January 15, 2025, and formally charged them on December 4, 2025.
Detective Constable Jagdip Sekhon of the Volume Fraud Team in Berkshire described the scheme as a deliberate and prolonged act of deception by Millington, who manipulated systems, fabricated invoices, and used personal accounts to cover her tracks. The scam had a significant impact on the practice, affecting its ability to provide vital community services.
Detective Inspector Duncan Wynn, Head of the Central Fraud Unit, commended the outcome of the case, emphasizing the serious nature of the offenses committed by Millington and the harm caused to public finances. He expressed hope that the severity of the sentences would serve as a deterrent to others engaging in fraudulent activities.
