Wem bar worker admits cash theft from fruit machine
A deputy bar manager stole cash from a fruit machine at the Shropshire community centre where he was employed, a court has been told.
Wayne Ford admitted stealing the money from his former employer, the United Services Club, on Leek Street in Wem, over a 10-month period.
Prosecutors claim Ford, of the Grove, Wem, stole £5,537.25 over a period stretching from August 2011 until June this year while employed by the centre as a deputy bar steward.
But Ford claims the amount taken was closer to £1,000 despite admitting the charge. A separate hearing will now be held to establish how much Ford pocketed.
Mrs Becky Jones, prosecuting, told Shrewsbury Magistrates Court yesterday Ford had worked at the club for about four years but had become increasingly desperate to pay bills when he lost another job at Currys.
She said money had disappeared from one of three games machines leased from Dransfield Novelty Co Ltd.
"At Christmas it appeared Dransfield were invoicing them for 75 per cent rather than 50 per cent," she said.
Letters were sent to two of the keyholders, including Ford but the defendant refused to respond and was finally arrested.
The case was adjourned until December 18.
