{"url":"https://www.expressandstar.com/news/shropshire-woman-who-stole-ps860k-from-her-wolverhampton-employer-wont-spend-christmas-in-prison-5745732","title":"Shropshire thief's sentencing delayed by barrister absence","domain":"expressandstar.com","imageUrl":"https://images.pexels.com/photos/8353805/pexels-photo-8353805.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&h=650&w=940","pexelsSearchTerm":"fraud","category":"Entertainment","language":"en","slug":"d93d7cd4","id":"d93d7cd4-1221-4b1f-bd71-951c9608c763","description":"Sentencing Delayed: Louise Farlow's fraud sentencing at Wolverhampton Crown Court was postponed due to her barrister's absence.","summary":"## TL;DR\n- **Sentencing Delayed:** Louise Farlow's fraud sentencing at Wolverhampton Crown Court was postponed due to her barrister's absence.\n- **£860k Stolen:** She took £860,108.49 from employer RG Wilbery Consultants over nearly nine years.\n- **Bail Granted:** Farlow released on bail until January 16, avoiding immediate jail before Christmas.[[1]](https://www.expressandstar.com/news/shropshire-woman-who-stole-ps860k-from-her-wolverhampton-employer-wont-spend-christmas-in-prison-5745732)\n\n## The story at a glance\nLouise Farlow, 57, from Willey near Broseley in Shropshire, had her sentencing deferred at Wolverhampton Crown Court after pleading guilty to stealing more than £860,000 from her employer, RG Wilbery Consultants in Wolverhampton. The delay happened because her legal team could not provide a barrister, despite expectations of a jail term. Chairman Peter Wilbery attended court ready to describe the company's harm. This is reported now following the November 14, 2024 hearing.[[1]](https://www.expressandstar.com/news/shropshire-woman-who-stole-ps860k-from-her-wolverhampton-employer-wont-spend-christmas-in-prison-5745732)\n\n## Key points\n- Farlow served as finance director at the family-run safety consultants and stole £860,108.49 between September 9, 2014, and March 13, 2023.\n- She pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of position after bosses found the theft last year.\n- Recorder Neil Owen-Casey expected a custodial sentence due to the crime's scale but halted proceedings over missing representation.\n- Peter Wilbery prepared victim impact details, but the hearing ended without them.\n- Next sentencing set for January 16, 2025; Farlow given unconditional bail.\n- RG Wilbery Consultants, at Brick Kiln Street, marked 60 years as the UK's longest-established health and safety firm.[[1]](https://www.expressandstar.com/news/shropshire-woman-who-stole-ps860k-from-her-wolverhampton-employer-wont-spend-christmas-in-prison-5745732)\n\n## Details and context\nFarlow's theft spanned almost nine years, targeting a firm known for its common-sense health and safety advice and employee welfare focus. The company motto stresses caring for staff development and client needs, making the prolonged betrayal notable.\n\nJudge Owen-Casey criticised the legal firm's failure, calling it \"not good enough\" amid a strained court system, though he noted barristers often appear remotely. He stressed Farlow needed representation for the listed date and assured her the delay was not her fault, while acknowledging anxiety for her and victims.\n\nThe firm recently celebrated 60 years with a strong reputation, underscoring the trusted position Farlow abused as finance director.[[1]](https://www.expressandstar.com/news/shropshire-woman-who-stole-ps860k-from-her-wolverhampton-employer-wont-spend-christmas-in-prison-5745732)\n\n## Key quotes\nRecorder Neil Owen-Casey: \"This is not good enough and the court will need an explanation. The defendant needs representation and this date has been listed for quite a while.\"[[1]](https://www.expressandstar.com/news/shropshire-woman-who-stole-ps860k-from-her-wolverhampton-employer-wont-spend-christmas-in-prison-5745732)\n\nRecorder Neil Owen-Casey to Farlow: \"This is not your fault. This will obviously cause you some anxiety just as it will cause your victims anxiety. Due to this crime and categorisation this will involve a custodial sentence.\"[[1]](https://www.expressandstar.com/news/shropshire-woman-who-stole-ps860k-from-her-wolverhampton-employer-wont-spend-christmas-in-prison-5745732)\n\n## Why it matters\nThe case highlights strains in the UK court system, where representation issues can delay justice even for serious white-collar crimes. For businesses like family safety firms, it shows risks from trusted finance roles and the real impact of internal fraud on operations and morale. Watch the January 16, 2025 hearing for the final custodial term length.\n\n## What changed\nBefore the hearing, Farlow faced immediate sentencing and likely jail after her guilty plea. The barrister absence led to a two-month postponement and bail on November 14, 2024. Victim statements and judgment now await January 16, 2025.[[1]](https://www.expressandstar.com/news/shropshire-woman-who-stole-ps860k-from-her-wolverhampton-employer-wont-spend-christmas-in-prison-5745732)\n\n## FAQ\nQ: How much did Louise Farlow steal from RG Wilbery Consultants?  \nA: She took £860,108.49 between September 9, 2014, and March 13, 2023. Farlow was the finance director and pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of position. The theft was discovered last year by her bosses.[[1]](https://www.expressandstar.com/news/shropshire-woman-who-stole-ps860k-from-her-wolverhampton-employer-wont-spend-christmas-in-prison-5745732)\n\nQ: Why was Farlow's sentencing delayed?  \nA: Her legal firm could not send a barrister to Wolverhampton Crown Court on November 14, 2024. Recorder Neil Owen-Casey ruled she needed representation and criticised the absence. He rescheduled for January 16, 2025.[[1]](https://www.expressandstar.com/news/shropshire-woman-who-stole-ps860k-from-her-wolverhampton-employer-wont-spend-christmas-in-prison-5745732)\n\nQ: What did the judge say about Farlow's sentence?  \nA: He stated a custodial term is required due to the crime's category and amount stolen. The delay causes anxiety for Farlow and victims like Peter Wilbery. Farlow received bail until the next date.[[1]](https://www.expressandstar.com/news/shropshire-woman-who-stole-ps860k-from-her-wolverhampton-employer-wont-spend-christmas-in-prison-5745732)\n\nQ: What is RG Wilbery Consultants known for?  \nA: It is the UK's longest-established health and safety consultants, based at Brick Kiln Street, Wolverhampton, recently marking 60 years. The firm focuses on practical advice and prioritises employee welfare and client needs.[[1]](https://www.expressandstar.com/news/shropshire-woman-who-stole-ps860k-from-her-wolverhampton-employer-wont-spend-christmas-in-prison-5745732)","hashtags":["#fraud","#crime","#court","#uk","#sentencing","#delay"],"sources":[{"url":"https://www.expressandstar.com/news/shropshire-woman-who-stole-ps860k-from-her-wolverhampton-employer-wont-spend-christmas-in-prison-5745732","title":"Original article"}],"viewCount":2,"publishedAt":"2026-04-23T14:45:19.191Z","createdAt":"2026-04-23T14:45:19.191Z","articlePublishedAt":"2024-11-15T00:00:00.000Z"}