SUPERMARKET SWIPE
Shop boss stole €315,000 to feed gambling addiction
A SUPERMARKET manager stole more than €315,000 to feed his gambling habit and put more than 100 jobs at risk, a court heard.
Wayne Johnston appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court in Donegal and pleaded guilty to theft at the Costcutter store.
The father of two said he was “very embarrassed and ashamed” and added: “I am so sorry for what happened.”
The court heard Johnston’s chronic online habit almost closed the supermarket in Ballybofey.
It started with small sums but soon mounted up and in one year he stole more than €300,000.
A SUPERMARKET manager told a court he is “so sorry” for stealing more than €315,000 for online bets.
Wayne Johnston put hundreds of thousands of euro through his Paddy Power account to feed his chronic gambling addiction.
He appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court in Donegal and was convicted of theft at Costcutter in Ballybofey following a guilty plea.
The father of two worked at the supermarket from 2006 and began to steal when he was put in charge of all purchasing and staff in 2009.
It started with small sums but soon mounted up and in one year he stole more than €300,000.
Details of exactly how Johnston, originally from Thurles in Co Tipperary, stole the money from his employer was not given during the case.
The court was told the thefts had a huge effect on the shop’s owner Michael Doherty.
He said nothing will ever take away the stress and sleepless nights he and his family endured.
Mr Doherty added that without the support of suppliers and partners, the jobs of 100 people would have been in danger. He said: “I don’t think I’ll ever be the same person again. I lost a part of me.”
Johnston, who is in his 30s, told how he and his employer had also been friends outside of work.
He said: “When the gambling took over I was guilty and embarrassed for taking Michael’s money.
“I’m so sorry for what happened. I was very embarrassed and ashamed and I didn’t realise I could have closed doors to his business. I knew I was taking the money but did not realise the damage I was doing to him or his mother and father.”
He said he is now getting treatment for his gambling addiction and his wife Michelle is now in charge of all the family’s finances.
Johnston, who is now working for a courier company, hopes to repay the money at €600 each month for the next 30 years.
His barrister Colm Smyth SC suggested to Judge John Aylmer to impose a heavy suspended sentence to ensure he does not re-offend and pays back the cash.
Judge Aylmer said he would like to hear the opinion of Mr Doherty about the proposed compensation offer and adjourned the case until next Friday.
I knew I was taking the money but didn’t realise damage I was doing WAYNE JOHNSTON COURT IN LETTERKENNY