Man jailed for £2.4 million fraud at Abingdon company
Connor O'Brien from Wretton in Norfolk was working as Financial Director
A man from Norfolk has been sentenced to five years in prison after committing a £2.4 million fraud at Living Optics LTD in Abingdon.
Connor O'Brien, 33, from Wretton held the position of Financial Director at the company and misused his authority to divert funds for personal gain.
His role evolved from contractor to full-time Financial Director in 2022, with additional payment duties following the departure of the Operations Manager.
Suspicion arose due to irregularities in accounting, leading to O'Brien's suspension and subsequent investigation with forensic accountants.
The examination unveiled unauthorised payments from company accounts, misuse of expenses, and falsified accounting data.
Between June 2022 and September 2023, O'Brien took £2,418,550.91 from company funds and benefited an additional £235,757.90 from fraudulent expenses.
The company reported the fraud in September 2023, prompting a thorough investigation by Thames Valley Police.
O'Brien's arrest in June 2024 led to formal charges in March 2026, culminating in his sentencing.
Detective Constable Pip Hankiewicz praised the company's cooperation during the investigation, highlighting O'Brien's violation of trust.
Detective Inspector Rob Havelock pledged continued efforts by police to pursue justice for victims of fraud.