Judge's stern warning to Wolverhampton thief who stole £482k from friend after sentencing delays
A Wolverhampton woman who stole £482,000 from her friend over ten years has delayed her sentencing again after turning on the waterworks in the dock.
Serita Tamber, of Cannock Road, Wolverhampton, admitted stealing £482,000 from her friend between 2014 and 2024 in January.
The 50-year-old was told after pleading guilty to fraud by false representation at Wolverhampton Crown Court she could be facing a stretch behind bars.
However, subsequent hearings, Tamber has finagled her way out 'of being sentencing using a variety of excuses.
In February, she claimed to be too ill to be sentenced but asked a judge via her barrister if she could be given special dispensation to go on a family holiday to India. Adjourning the sentence till March, the judge ordered her passport and international travel documents to be seized to prevent her leaving the country. The Crown Prosecution Service also delayed sentencing by asking to clarify whether Tamber had stole more than £482,000.
Tamber did not attend two March sentencing hearings, instead sending a letter purporting to be from her bed in a hospital ward. Which again delayed sentencing again, giving authorities time to check out her medical complaints.
Defending, Samantha Powis, told the court in March: "My client is not in the best of health. She has had new diagnosis since the last hearing and we would like time for these new conditions to be taken into account before sentencing."
