A FINANCIAL investigator who helped convict a subpostmaster for the murder of his wife has been shortlisted for a prestigious award.

Teresa Bentley, from North Yorkshire Police, has been recognised for her painstaking examination of the financial records of Robin and Diana Garbutt and their business, the shop and post office in Melsonby, near Richmond.

Her findings were at the centre of the trial which saw Robin Garbutt found guilty of murdering Diana in March 2010. He was later sentenced to life in prison.

The investigator has been shortlisted in the individual award category at the Keith Hughes Awards for Excellence in Financial Investigation 2011.

Detective Inspector Ian Wills, who heads the force’s financial investigation unit, said: “Teresa’s outstanding work in the Melsonby murder investigation contributed directly to Robin Garbutt being brought to justice for the brutal murder of his wife.

“The investigation was very complex, involving a vast amount of financial data from various sources which Teresa collated and presented to the jury in a format which could be readily understood.

“She truly deserves this national recognition and she is a credit to North Yorkshire Police.

These awards also recognise the importance of financial investigation in modern day policing.”

Police were initially called to reports of an armed robbery at the store on the morning of Tuesday, March 23, 2010.

The investigator was assigned after it became apparent that the Garbutts’ financial background was an integral element of the case.

Her examination centred around the business and personal accounts of the couple and the alleged robbery which Garbutt claimed had taken place.

Working closely with Post Office fraud investigation officers, her inquiries suggested that highly-irregular management of the post office was indicative of theft rather than the reported robbery.

Joanne Bramley, from North Yorkshire County Council trading standards service, was also shortlisted for the award, while David Mattan, from Crown Prosecution Service’s North-East regional asset recovery team, was shortlisted for the Proceeds of Crime Act Prosecutor Award.

The winners will be announced on February 27.

Lawyers representing Garbutt have lodged an appeal against his conviction, saying new evidence has been found to clear his name.