Cleared: Redruth charity worker accused of stealing thousands of pounds

A DEDICATED supporter of animals who was accused of stealing thousands of pounds from a charity in Redruth has been cleared of all charges.

Sally Moore, 57, has broken her silence about her two-year ordeal under suspicion, starting with a dawn arrest in front of her elderly father.

She was due to face trial at Truro Crown Court later this month, charged with stealing £5,798.97 from the Cornwall Animal and Ambulance Trust, but was summoned to court early to be told the CPS was offering no evidence against her and she could leave an innocent woman.

Ms Moore had protested her innocence throughout the ordeal having been, until her arrest, one of the charity's staunchest supporters.

"I cried like a river when I heard the news," said Ms Moore.

"It's been two years of absolute hell and I'm just so glad it's over.

"Apparently, after two years, they found receipts for the money they said I'd taken."

Ms Moore's nightmare began when three plain-clothes police officers turned up at her door early one morning and arrested her in front of her father, then aged 89.

"They took me to the side entrance of the police station used for convicts, they fingerprinted me, photographed me and kept me in a cell for eight hours. It was awful."

She said she was devastated to be accused of stealing from a charity she had volunteered for since it opened.

"I had to go on sleeping tablets to get through it," she said.

"I couldn't stop thinking about it, but I had to cope, I had my father to look after – he'll be 91 soon.

"I'd like to have some compensation for what I've been through, but not at the animal hospital's expense. I still love the animal hospital.

"I've had so much support. So many people have rung me or come up to me in the street, given me cards and flowers to say they believed in me.

"What I'd like now is just a little 16-hour a week job," she said. "I've not been able to do anything for the past two years.

Ms Moore paid tribute to Terry Eastbrook and Howell and Hilton solicitors, who she said had supported her throughout her ordeal.

Jennie Jarram, a trustee of the Cornwall Animal Hospital said it was "reviewing its next steps".