Man burgled his workplace after he was not paid
A DISGRUNTLED ex-shop worker burgled his former workplace after claiming he hadn’t been paid.
Michael Kosa enlisted the help of others to force his way into Eastern European, on Shields Road, in Byker, in the early hours of the morning.
The group were then captured on CCTV helping themselves to more than £2,000 worth of cash, vapes, cigarettes and tobacco before making off from the scene in a car, a court heard.
However, Kosa, who had previously worked for two weeks at the store, was recognised by a friend of the owner on the camera footage and he was soon arrested. All the stolen goods were recovered and given back to the shop.
The dad-of-two, of Bamburgh Terrace, in Byker, appeared before Newcastle Magistrates’ Court to plead guilty to one count of burglary of a non-dwelling, which happened on April 8 this year.
Prosecutor Emma O’Hegarty said a friend of the owner was looking after the shop while he was away and had left the premises secure the evening before.
He was informed the next morning that CCTV footage showed the store had been broken into.
Mrs O’Hegarty added: “The witness attended the scene to establish what had been taken.
“He found that the metal rear shutters had been completely broken, costing £320.
“Behind the metal shutters, a further metal door had been damaged. The following items were taken; £150 cash, 17 boxes of vapes, valued at £70 each, 12 boxes of vapes, worth £32 a box, cigarettes and tobacco.
“The defendant is seen on CCTV alongside others trying to pry open the shutters at the shop. He’s recognised by the witness.”
The court heard that, in total, £2,044 worth of goods were stolen but they were all found when Kosa was arrested.
John Wesencraft, defending, said Kosa hadn’t actually gone into the premises but remained outside and carried the items from the shop to the car.
Mr Wesencraft added: “He used to work for the owner. He worked two 60-hour weeks.
“The man then refused to pay him. He’s in receipt of Universal Credit, has two children and another on the way.
“The owner of the shop owed him money and he went and collected it.”
The court heard that Kosa had worked in a hotel prior to Covid-19 but lost his job and hadn’t been employed since.
He was given a 12-month community order, with 120 hours of unpaid work, and must pay £110 compensation, £85 costs and a £95 victim surcharge.