This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/berkshire/8421661.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Toys R Us accountant stole £3.6m Toys R Us accountant stole £3.6m
(about 4 hours later)
A former Toys R Us accountant has been jailed for seven years for defrauding the firm of £3.6m he spent on prostitutes and expensive cars.A former Toys R Us accountant has been jailed for seven years for defrauding the firm of £3.6m he spent on prostitutes and expensive cars.
Paul Hopes, 58, had worked for the toy firm for 23 years and had a £56,000 salary when he developed an infatuation with a massage parlour worker.Paul Hopes, 58, had worked for the toy firm for 23 years and had a £56,000 salary when he developed an infatuation with a massage parlour worker.
He set up a bank account in her name to siphon off money between 2006 and 2008.He set up a bank account in her name to siphon off money between 2006 and 2008.
Hopes, of Woodley, Reading, Berkshire, admitted 14 counts of theft and four of transferring criminal property.Hopes, of Woodley, Reading, Berkshire, admitted 14 counts of theft and four of transferring criminal property.
Reading Crown Court heard how he lead a secret life his wife and children knew nothing about.Reading Crown Court heard how he lead a secret life his wife and children knew nothing about.
While he appeared to be living a normal family life, he was also lavishing money and gifts on five prostitutes.While he appeared to be living a normal family life, he was also lavishing money and gifts on five prostitutes.
This was not a crime of passion but a crime of lust it would appear Prosecutor Simon HeptonstallThis was not a crime of passion but a crime of lust it would appear Prosecutor Simon Heptonstall
The court was told he gave thousands of pounds to the women, who he met in luxury hotels.The court was told he gave thousands of pounds to the women, who he met in luxury hotels.
He gave one of them enough money to pay off her mortgage, and another woman bought a Bentley with the money he gave her.He gave one of them enough money to pay off her mortgage, and another woman bought a Bentley with the money he gave her.
The court heard Hopes he knew the position of trust he held in the company meant his crimes were unlikely to be detected. The court heard Hopes knew the position of trust he held in the company meant his crimes were unlikely to be detected.
People who knew Hopes thought he was quiet and unassuming.People who knew Hopes thought he was quiet and unassuming.
His friend Dave Wright said: "It was a shock, the fact that he admitted more than 14 offences for embezzling money from Toys R Us.His friend Dave Wright said: "It was a shock, the fact that he admitted more than 14 offences for embezzling money from Toys R Us.
"But a bigger shock was the fact that he was spending it on call girls, prostitutes, total disbelief, never came out at all that he was leading a double life.""But a bigger shock was the fact that he was spending it on call girls, prostitutes, total disbelief, never came out at all that he was leading a double life."
'Absurd luxury''Absurd luxury'
His family only found out about his double life when he was arrested and charged by police last year.His family only found out about his double life when he was arrested and charged by police last year.
Simon Heptonstall, prosecuting, said: "This was not a crime of passion but a crime of lust it would appear."Simon Heptonstall, prosecuting, said: "This was not a crime of passion but a crime of lust it would appear."
Judge Stephen John questioned how such a "simple fraud" could have taken place at a large firm like Toys R Us.Judge Stephen John questioned how such a "simple fraud" could have taken place at a large firm like Toys R Us.
Sentencing Hopes, he said: "I cannot judge if, as you say, you felt sorry for these women, but you chose to provide them with an absurdly luxurious lifestyle in order to preserve your sexual relationship with them."Sentencing Hopes, he said: "I cannot judge if, as you say, you felt sorry for these women, but you chose to provide them with an absurdly luxurious lifestyle in order to preserve your sexual relationship with them."
Toys R Us declined to comment.Toys R Us declined to comment.