Trusted employee spent £40k of company money
A trusted worker used company cash to buy over £40,000 worth of tools and equipment which he sold on to make money for himself.
Robert Iredale was responsible for placing orders forelectricalitemsandhadauthorisation to spent up to £500 at a time without requiring authorisation from managers at Orwin Ltd in Washington.
Newcastle Crown Court h ea rd b et we e n Ja nu a r y 2018 and February 2020, the 35-year-old purchased 50,000 items, worth a total of £43,703, which he took home and sold on to make cash that he could keep.
Hewascollaredwhenbosses became suspicious about a laptop he had bought using company funds and launched an investigation.
Prosecutor Emma Hughes told the court Iredale was initially invited to a meeting with management and added: "The defendant admitted to purchasing the laptop and said he intended to pay the company back.
"He admitted purchasing other items."
She added: "Overall, there we re 5 0,0 0 0 i te m s pu r - chased."
The court heard Iredale made a full confession to the police.
Miss Hughes said: "He said it started with drill bits which he ordered and were unsuitable. Instead of returning them he took them home and sold them. He describes it carrying on from there and spiralling out of control.
"He admitted keeping or
ders under £499.99 intentionally, so the orders wouldn't need authorisation."
Iredale, of Victory Street West, Hetton, admitted theft.
Mr Recorder Toby Hedworth QC told Iredale: "With this level of breach of trust and the repetitive nature of what was going on, working carefully to keep the thefts below £500, it seems to me the offending has got to be marked with imprisonment."
But the judge said Iredale's previous good character, his personal mitigation and im
mediate honesty meant the jail term could be suspended.
Iredale was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years, with 100 hours’ unpaid work and rehabilitation requirements.
Jamie Adams, defending, said Iredale has a history of mental health problems and has applied for universal credit while being repeatedly knocked back for jobs due to his conviction.
He said Iredale was honest as soon as he was confronted about his dishonesty.