Computers stolen from university by IT worker
THIEF WARNED HE FACES JAIL TERM
A FORMER Newcastle University worker who stole thousands of pounds worth of computer equipment from his employer before flogging it could be facing jail.
Senior IT technician Kevin Smith made off with Dell computers valued at £13,087 from the university’s campus.
The 37-year-old then sold them to a secondhand goods store but his crime was uncovered when his boss noticed the equipment had gone missing, a court heard.
Laura Lax, prosecuting, told Newcastle Magistrates’ Court the offences took place between May 2016 and 2017.
The court heard Smith had been employed for around a year when the IT manager ordered in new computers, which were unpacked by Smith.
But when the IT manager went into the storage room two months later, he found five computers were missing.
He searched internet selling websites and found the computers had been sold.
It transpired Smith had sold the computers to a secondhand goods store after signing a form to say they belonged to him.
Smith, of Maddren Way, Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to theft by employee and fraud by false representation.
District judge Kate Meak warned Smith he faced prison. She said: “I am going to adjourn your case for reports from the probation service.
“I am leaving all sentencing options open, including an immediate custodial sentence.”
Mitigating, Greg Stevens said: “I have told him he is either going to prison or getting a suspended sentence.”
Smith was granted unconditional bail and will be sentenced at North Tyneside Magistrates’ Court on August 10.