Latest news with #SusanChristian
BBC News
08-08-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Admin worker stole £16k from family-run company
An admin worker who stole more than £16,000 from a family-run construction firm on the Isle of Man has been handed a suspended jail Townend stole the money on repeated occasions from Stephen Christian & Sons Ltd in Kirk Michael between December 2022 and March 2024, leaving the business "devastated".Douglas Courthouse heard the 50-year-old, who pleaded guilty to eight counts of theft, was the only person outside the family to have access to the company's business Graeme Cook handed her a 20-month sentence but agreed to suspend it for two years. The court heard she had made several unauthorised transactions to her own account and two to a family member's then concealed the imbalanced business accounts through the digital records and, as she was trusted, the account was not employers eventually noticed the missing money and confronted her via email, to which she replied with false explanations. She was arrested on 18 March 2024 and when interviewed admitted to officers she did it to "make ends meet". In a victim impact statement read to the court, company director Susan Christian said the theft had a "devastating impact" and had resulted in the operation downsizing and said Townend had been "afforded everything she needed", given a "good salary" and time off whenever she needed - but that was "thrown back into our faces".Townend's defence solicitor said the money had been used to support her son through university and she suffered from mental health issues, with the offending coinciding with periods where she was court heard she had previously been cautioned for stealing £7,769 from her former employer, a payroll firm, in is now in full-time employment with her current employers aware of the offences and she no longer handles finances, her defence Graeme Cook said he had agreed to suspend the sentence due to her chance of rehabilitation in the community. He also said she did not pose a threat to the public aside from handling finances, which she had stepped back from. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
CTV News
15-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
Powassan man honoured for dedication to local trails
A gathering was held at the Pines Trails in Powassan, Ont. on Thursday to celebrate 'trail champions' from around the Nipissing region. Pine Trails gathering June 29 A number of volunteers from the Nipissing region gathered Thursday at the Pines Trails in Powassan, Ont. to celebrate local 'trail champions.' (Supplied/Discovery Routes) Discovery Routes is a charity organization that connects communities across the north through trails. There are at least 56 separate community trail partners responsible for the stewardship of local trails. Most of the groups rely entirely on volunteers who donate their time and energy to maintaining and improving the trails. The organization has launched a Trail Volunteer Appreciation Program to bring attention to the volunteers who dedicate so much of their time to serve on committees, to act as champions for important trail issues, to maintain local trails and coordinating trail events or programs that further the development of the region's trail network. 'The pandemic created a dramatic increase in demand for outdoor activities,' said Susan Christian, Discovery Routes chairperson, in a news release Friday. 'We know that trails are powerful tools for individuals to improve mental, physical and emotional health and want to recognize and celebrate the countless volunteers in communities across the north who keep the trails we all love open and safe for all to enjoy.' Officials with the organization say they hope the program will inspire more people to get involved with their local trails. On June 29, the program honoured long-time Powassan trail volunteer Gerry Giesler as a 'champion,' recognizing him for more than 16 years of service to area trails. Gerry Giesler Gerry Giesler was named a 'trail champion' at a walk on the Pine Trails network on June 29/23. (Supplied/Discovery Routes) Giesler was instrumental in improving paddling access to the South River Water Trail by successfully getting portage trails established around a number of hydro dams between Trout Creek and Powassan, said officials. He volunteers with the Powassan Recreation Committee and has been involved in the Pines Trails network for a number of years. When asked why he volunteers, Giesler said it is exciting to see years of planning take shape and new trails and water access set up in the region – like at Love Lake in Trout Creek. 'I've always been an outdoors person and liked doing outdoor stuff,' he said in the news release. 'What it boils down to is I like sharing my knowledge and making sure other people can get to enjoy the outdoors, too.' Volunters Pine Trails network walk Area volunteers walked the Pine Trails network on Thursday to celebrate local 'trail champion' Gerry Giesler. (Supplied/Discovery Routes) 'On behalf of the Municipality of Powassan we thank Gerry for many hours of dedication to trails and recreation in our community,' said Powassan Mayor Peter McIsaac, who was in attendance at Thursday's walk. For more information about Discovery Routes, visit their website or Facebook page.
