Man jailed for five years over £2.4m company fraud

A man has received a five-year jail sentence for defrauding an electronics manufacturer out of more than £2.4m.

Connor O'Brien, 33, of King's Lynn, Norfolk, pleaded guilty on 16 July at Oxford Crown Court to two counts of fraud by abuse of position.

He was a financial director at Living Optics in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, where he was suspended after multiple failings caused by him led to irregularities within the company's accounting system.

Thames Valley Police found that between 15 June 2022 and 14 September 2023, O'Brien fraudulently received £2,418,550.91 from the company bank account, with a further benefit of £235,757.90 from unauthorised fraudulent expenses.

O'Brien began working at Living Optics as a contractor but became the full-time financial director in March 2022.

In October 2022, he took on all responsibilities for making payments from the bank.

After concerns following his failings, he was suspended and the company acquired the services of a forensic accountant.

The investigation showcased the widespread misappropriation of funds by O'Brien, relating to payments that he had made to himself from the company bank account and substantial purchases using the company expenses system.

It was also revealed he had entered transactional data in the accounting system that was falsely inputted to conceal his offending.

On 15 September 2023, Living Optics made a report to Action Fraud and, after a police investigation, O'Brien was arrested in June 2024 and subsequently charged in March 2026.

Det Con Pip Hankiewicz said he had "abused his position of trust within the company as well as the kindness of his employers and colleagues".

Det Insp Rob Havelock added O'Brien's actions "were deliberate and resulted in a significant financial loss to the business".

"Thames Valley Police will continue to pursue those committing fraud within our communities and work tirelessly to ensure justice for victims."