Feminist Jurisprudence in Action

Model, 22, who helped fraudsters steal £25,000 to help pay off her student loans is spared jail

A model who helped fraudsters steal £25,000 from a bank in a bid to pay off part of her student loan was spared jail today.

Elsa Lopes, a 22 year-old undergraduate at the University of Hertfordshire, handed over account details while working part-time at a branch of Natwest.

The customer services adviser photographed security information held on her computer including the signature used to verify cheques.

Lopes, of Victoria Docks, east London, admitted two counts of fraud.

Judge Timothy Pontius sentenced her to ten months imprisonment suspended for two years.

'A prison sentence is unavoidable and I cannot avoid one today. However in the circumstances I am prepared exceptionally to suspend the operation of that sentence.'