Ex-Finance Manager, Paul Leighton, Defrauds Opera House for Lavish Spending

Ex-finance manager of Buxton Opera House, Paul Leighton, has been charged with stealing nearly £250,000 to fund a lavish lifestyle, including buying a season ticket for Manchester United, luxury cars and holidays.

Leighton was jailed for two years and began taking money just five days after beginning work for the opera house in April 2012. Prosecutor Sarah Slater said that he transferred £7,000 into his account, then £25,000 more just a few days later,

The theft was discovered in June 2013 when Leighton's assistant Annabel Millington received phone calls from suppliers who hadn't been paid.

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