The judge said the woman's actions undermined trust and public confidence

A Bradford charity director has received jailed for misappropriating almost £3,000 in charitable funds for personal use.

Claire Tempest, 39, cried as she was sentenced to eight months behind bars at Bradford Magistrates' Court on Monday.

The former head of Helping Hands had admitted to fraud charges in July.

Tempest diverted £2,945.80 from the charity's accounts, between August 2023 and January 2025, to fund her own shopping, travel expenses and takeaway meals.

The court has additionally required her to contribute £2,000 to a local charitable organisation before the end of March 2026.

Helping Hands operated as an unregistered charitable organisation serving the Bierley area of Bradford.

The group distributed essential items including food supplies, household appliances, furniture and hygiene products to local residents facing hardship.

The organisation conducted its activities primarily through Facebook, where community members could request assistance.

Despite lacking formal charity registration, the group had established itself as a vital support network for vulnerable individuals in the area.

Tempest's fraudulent activities spanned about 17 months, from August 8, 2023, until January 3, 2025

Concerns about financial irregularities emerged when fellow charity members noticed Tempest's reluctance to share financial information.

The organisation's treasurer, Claire Grove, found herself unable to access bank statements despite repeated requests.

When Grove asked about donation expenditure on behalf of a concerned friend, Tempest responded that "she didn't have to prove anything to anyone".

Grove's requests for bank statement screenshots were met with outright refusal from Tempest.

It prompted Grove to step down from her treasurer position.

She subsequently alerted other group moderators to her concerns, leading to a report being filed with Action Fraud.

Police investigators uncovered 54 payments totalling about £2,500 transferred to Tempest's partner, alongside 28 transactions to Uber and Uber Eats services.

Deputy District Judge Wallace acknowledged that Tempest had initially established the group with genuine charitable intentions, however, he said "unfortunately, there came a point in time when you decided to help yourself to the funds".

The judge emphasised how such actions "undermines trust and public confidence in charitable donations, it's something we cannot tolerate".

Tempest offered a brief statement to the court: "I'd just like to say that I'm sorry."

Defence solicitor Sharan Dosanjh described the theft as "an act of desperation" and highlighted the severe personal consequences Tempest had already faced.

These included online harassment, death threats and widespread public humiliation across social media platforms.

Dosanjh stressed that her client had demonstrated authentic regret for her actions. (GB NEWS)