The volume of money flowing through Lowe’s personal bank accounts raised red flags with his bank, particularly large sums received via PayPal.
When questioned, Lowe claimed the money was from the sale of his business, despite that transaction having occurred in 2021.
He eventually pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of position of trust, committed between March 2023 and February 2024.
Following sentencing, Det Con Neil Brodhurst, said: “We are pleased with the custodial sentence handed down to Lowe, who shamelessly abused his position of trust to fund a gambling habit.
“Even though the stolen funds were converted into cryptocurrency, we were able to trace the transactions and prove how he benefited.
“Fraud is never a victimless crime, and this case highlights the wider ripple effect of Lowe’s actions – undermining morale, trust, and financial stability across the workforce.”