Accountant gets suspended term for stealing over €160,000 from clients

A chartered accountant who admitted stealing money from clients and engaging in an accountancy practice known as teeming and lading was given a four-year suspended jail sentence yesterday for the theft of €162,000.

James Hackett, aged 63, of 22 Ashington, Brooklodge, Glanmire, Co Cork, was given the suspended term at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

Det Garda Mary Skehan said teeming and lading involved taking cheques from clients for their payment of tax and using them for the benefit of himself and other clients.