Lydia Forrester, 61, took the money from Rutland Haulage in Manningtree, while she worked there between 2014 and 2019. Owner Patrick Donaghy, who had previously told investigators he trusted Forrester completely to oversee the company finances, died in April 2023 amid proceedings. Sentence - Forrester has been sentenced to 24 months suspended for 24 months, with 28 rehabilitation activity requirement days (Image: Daniel Rees, Newsquest)Forrester has no previous convictions and continues to deny the offences. She added the impact of custody on Forrester’s daughter would be one of “extreme hardship” and felt her relationships with her family would motivate her not to reoffend. Forrester, 61, of Candy Street, Tower Hamlets, was sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment suspended for 24 months, with 28 rehabilitation activity requirement days.