Horwich Advertiser Issue 633

March 2026 Page 13 AD SALES 01204 478812 A FORMER Bolton council employee has been jailed after admitting stealing almost £900,000 from its accounts. Richard Shaw, 46, of Harrier Close, Lostock, transferred £893,296 to himself from benefit claimants’ accounts held by the local authority between 2015 and 2023. During a police investigation, it was established he spent £100,000 buying a holiday home in Lan- cashire’s Ribble Valley and almost £18,000 on garden improvements. Two BMW cars and several high-value items, including com- puters and bikes, were seized during a warrant at Shaw’s home address in April 2023 when he was initially arrested on suspicion of fraud by abuse of position and money laundering. Shaw was jailed for four years and eight months when he appeared at Bol- ton Crown Court for sentencing. He had been manag- ing the accounts as part of the council’s Finan- cial Protection Team but was suspended when mismanagement of appointeeship cases was discovered. And he was subse- quently sacked for gross misconduct in March 2023 when the council identified and reported the possible fraud to Greater Manchester Police (GMP). A lengthy investiga- tion by the force’s Eco- nomic and Cyber Crime Unit showed that Shaw had been transferring the money to his own accounts for a number of years. He also transferred money between clients’ accounts in an attempt to hide his fraud. He failed to attend his first crown court appearance in Sep- tember 2025 and was arrested by police on the same day in Blackpool. He had been on remand since that date. Shaw initially denied fraud by abuse of New recruits are on the front line Welcome: The pass out parade (Photo credit: GMFRS) GREATER Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) has welcomed its latest firefighting recruits following the successful completion of their initial training. The 23 new firefighters were offi- cially celebrated at the most recent Pass Out Parade held at GMFRS’s state-of-the-art Training and Safety Centre in Bury. Family members, friends and col- leagues attended the event, which featured a live practical demonstra- tion from the recruits, showcasing the skills they’ve developed through- out their rigorous 17-week course and their exemplary standards of team- work, knowledge and professional- ism expected. Chief Fire Officer (CFO) Dave Russel presented each firefighter with their Passing Out certificate, marking the successful completion of their initial training course. The event was also attended by guests including representative of the King, Deputy Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, Mrs Amanda-Jane Dean. CFO Dave Russel said: “Our latest apprentice firefighters have shown real commitment throughout the intensive 17-week training course, investing sig- nificant time, effort and dedication to successfully complete their initial train- ing and earn their place as firefighters with GMFRS. “They’re joining the service at an exciting time, and I’m looking for- ward to seeing how they will continue to grow and make a real difference as they begin serving the people of Greater Manchester.” The new firefighters will now embark on the next phase of their fire service journey and will be posted to community fire stations across Greater Manchester. There, they will continue their devel- opment through a two-year nationally recognised firefighting apprenticeship. JAIL FOR COUNCIL WORKER WHO STOLE £900,000 BENEFITS CASH Fr!udster spent money on holid!y home, g!rden improvements !nd c!rs Jailed: Richard Shaw is beginning a four year and eight months prison term (Photo credit: GMP) Refunds: Bolton Council has refunded any !nancial losses to individuals Seized: One of the BMW’s found at Shaw’s Lostock home (Photo credit; GMP) position but changed his plea to guilty at Bolton Crown Court in Decem- ber 2025. Investigations in 2023 showed several bank transfers to nine per- sonal accounts held in Richard Shaw’s name. Just over £250,000 was transferred to one account, and £215,000 to another. It is estimated to Shaw’s failure to act in the best interest of his clients meant he lost them a total of £129,749 in unclaimed benefits Speaking after the sen- tencing, Detective Ser- geant Daniel Sanchez, from GMP’s Economic and Cyber Crime Unit, said: “We carried out a thorough and meticulous two-year investigation into Shaw in conjunction with Bolton Council. “Concerns were raised in February 2023 about some of the accounts managed by Shaw. “The accounts were unusually low, running out of funds and irreg- ular transactions had been noted. “Shaw was subse- quently suspended while a disciplinary investigation was com- pleted and dismissed for gross misconduct on 31 March 2023.” He added: “In his role as an appointee officer, Shaw was responsible for managing 120 cli- ent cases. “Shaw abused his position of trust within the council, transferring clients’ money to accounts he had set up in his own name. “His systematic theft and haphazard spending were uncovered by our financial investigator. “There will now be a Proceeds of Crime hearing to reclaim the rest of the money so the council can be reimbursed.” A spokesperson for Bolton Council said: “The council welcomes the sentencing of Mr Shaw, a former employee in relation to charges of fraud. “Bolton Council has robust measures in place to detect, prevent and deter corruption and this crime was first uncovered via our own internal safeguards. “We have worked closely with Greater Manchester Police to build the case that has resulted in this sentence which reflects the grav- ity and impact of the crime committed. “Cases like this are exceptionally rare and the actions of one per- son do not reflect a wider workforce that is conscientious, diligent, and committed to pub- lic service. “Any identified finan- cial losses to individuals as a result of this fraud have been refunded by the council, and benefit losses rectified.”