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Money

It's that time of year when every office takes on work experience students over the summer to lend an extra pair of hands.

However, some companies may think twice about hiring help after a sixth-form student stole thousands of pounds from one of the world's top international law firms.

Titilayo Olaifa spent just three days at the London branch of Freshfields before she began using the computer system to produce a sequence of company cheques.

Olaifa forged her boss's signature, then paid them into her bank account. In total she stole 11 cheques, six of which where made out for over £60,000.

The city-based law firm quickly clocked that they were haemorrhaging money and launched an investigation. Four cheques were stopped before they could be cashed but two with a total of £13,500, were processed and the money withdrawn.

Once confronted, the teenager confessed to her crime but refused to reveal to police what had happened to the money - none of which has been recovered. Olaifa was found guilty of theft and 'fraud by abuse of position' and jailed for five months.

Wednesday 9 July 2008