Museum thief must pay back £23,000

A thieving former finance manager must pay back almost £23,000 to The Bowes Museum.

Tracey Sell, of Porter Gardens, Bishop Auckland, admitted stealing a total of £21,096.82 from the museum while working in the finance department between December 2022 and March 2024.

And at a proceeds of crime hearing at Durham Crown Court on Tuesday she was ordered to reimburse a total of £22,849 within three months – or face a 12-month jail term.

Hannah Fox, executive director of The Bowes Museum, said: “We welcome the Proceeds of Crime Act settlement ordered by Durham Crown Court and the timeframe established for Tracy Sell to repay the adjusted benefit amount.

“This outcome represents an important step in recovering funds lost due to theft.

“The loss of charitable funds is a matter of serious concern.

“Throughout this case, the trustees and senior leadership team have taken robust measures to protect the museum’s operations and resources, ensuring there has been no detrimental impact on staff, visitors, or the delivery of The Bowes Museum’s activities and charitable mission.”

Sell left the museum in March 2024 ahead of an audit later that year which uncovered multiple fraudulent transactions that siphoned thousands into her personal bank account.

She admitted the theft in August 2025 and was given a 12-month suspended sentence at Durham Crown Court the following month.

Sell was also ordered to attend 20 rehabilitation days and complete 120 hours of unpaid community work.