Worker’s £24k fraud from employer to pay drug debts
A customer service worker who carried out a £24,000 fraud on his firm was caught when his "partner" tipped off his bosses.
KieronGilberthadordered and sent televisions, laptops and gaming consoles to empty addresses through his companysotheycouldbepickedupby drug dealers to settle his debt.
Newcastle Crown Court heard the three-month scam was uncovered when his firm received a phone call from a woman, who said she was his partnerandinformedthemhe had been stealing.
Gilbert, 26, of Antwerp Road,Farringdon,Sunderland, admitted fraud by abuse of positionandhasnowbeengivena
suspended jail sentence.
Prosecutor Marc Atkins told the court Gilbert was employedbyPacificaGroupLtdin
Houghton, a firm that repairs and replaces domestic appliances on behalf of insurance companies.
Gilbert was employed as a customer services advisor, who handled claims and arranged replacement goods to be delivered.
Mr Atkins said a Pacifica employee was contacted on February 1 last year about Gilbert.
Hetoldthecourt:"Shegota phone call from a female, saying she was the defendant's partner.
"The female made accusations the defendant had been stealing from the company."
The court heard an audit was carried out as a result of the call and Mr Atkins added: "On 46 occasions between October 8, 2019, and January 16, 2020, the defendant arranged for goods to be delivered to addresses in Sunderland, Chester-le-Street and Hartlepool. Nonerelatedtogenuineclaims of customers."
Thecourtheardthedishonestorderswereworthatotalof £23,913.
Gilbert, who attended the police station voluntarily, admitted he had arranged for goods to be delivered to unoccupied addresses provided to him so he could pay off a drugs debt.
Mr recorder Darren Preston sentenced Gilbert to 13 months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years, with 160 hours unpaid work and rehabilitation requirements.
ThejudgesaidGilbert'sdebt was "spiralling out of control" and added: "I accept you were, toanextent,usedbyyourdealers, as it was their scheme and youwereputundersomepressure to do it."
Tony Cornberg, defending, said Gilbert seemed to display "relief" at being caught.