The former chief of a prominent animal charity in Northern Ireland who pleaded guilty to fraud has received a suspended sentence.
Stephen Philpott (55) from Ashgrove Road, Newry, was sentenced to nine months suspended for two years after appearing at Newry Crown Court today.In September, Philpott admitted to abusing his position by obtaining rental payments for an property in Bessbrook, Co Armagh, which belonged to the Ulster Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (USPCA), of which Philpott was the chief executive.In a statement, the USPCA said the decision of the court "brings closure to a challenging period in the story of the USPCA. A respected and valued charity whose trust was ruthlessly abused by its most senior executive". Read more:
- USPCA confirms chief executive Stephen Philpott suspended
- USPCA former chief executive Stephen Philpott pleads guilty to seven-year fraud of the animal charity
