Mum-of-three jailed for £1,500,000 cheque scam but husband cleared

Provided by Metro Fraudster Lisa Groundwater, 38, was jailed for two years after pleading guilty (Picture: Police Scotland)

A mum-of-three has been sentenced to two years in prison after an elaborate scam involving unpayable cheque

In just nine weeks, Lisa Groundwater, 38, deposited five cheques at Royal Bank of Scotland, totalling more than £1.5 million.

The money was all paid into a deposit account held by the businesswoman, who had access to it during the clearing process, Kirkwall Sheriff Court heard.

They were deposited under the pretence that Groundwater had sufficient funds in various bank accounts in under her name and her 45-year-old husband Kevin.

But this was not the case, and eventually police caught up with her scheme and the couple were arrested on suspicion of fraud in September 2020.

They were accused of pulling scams in Kirkwall, Orkney, between January 2019 and March 2019.

Although last month it was confirmed all charges against Mr Groundwater had been dropped.

According to the charge, a total of £485,021.99 was not recovered by Royal Bank of Scotland, to its loss.

Groundwater was jailed for two years after pleading guilty at an earlier date. Detective sergeant Marcus Shearer said: ‘There are a number of victims to the crime’s with some having lost substantial amounts of money.

‘We are thankful to the witnesses that have come forward and reported these incidents as this type of behaviour will not be tolerated.

‘Groundwater’s sentence sends a clear message to those acting in such a manner that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated.

‘We are fully committed to bringing offenders to justice to further safeguard our communities.’

According to the charge, a total of £485,021.99 was not recovered by Royal Bank of Scotland, to its loss.

Groundwater has now been jailed for two years after pleading guilty at an earlier date.