Wem bar worker told to repay theft of £1,000

Wayne Ford, of the Grove, in Wem, had admitted stealing £1,000 in cash from his former employer the United Services Club, in Leek Street in Wem, over a 10-month period from August 2011.

He was sentenced at Shrewsbury Magistrates Court yesterday to a 12- month community order, 200 hours of unpaid work and £85 costs, as well as being ordered to repay the money he stole.

At a previous hearing prosecutors said the money stolen by 26-year-old Ford was £5,537.25 but accepted the lower figure following the defendant's guilty plea.

Becky Jones, prosecuting, told the court Ford had worked at the club for about four years but had become increasingly desperate to pay his bills when he lost another job at electrical retailer Currys.

She said that money had started disappearing from one of three games machines – referred to as Cash in the Box machines – leased from a company called Dransfield Novelty Co Ltd and which were usually emptied by two members of staff.

"There were usually takings of £1,000 per week from the machine which was split 50/50 between the club and Dransfield," she said.

"But around Christmas time it appeared that Dransfield were invoicing them for 75 per cent rather than 50 per cent and the treasurer asked the company to look into it. Dransfield came back and asked who had keys to the machine and suggested it might be an internal matter."

Letters were sent to two of the three key holders, including Ford, saying an investigation was taking place but the defendant refused to respond to calls and was finally arrested.

In a police interview Ford admitted making up to six thefts but said the highest amount he ever stole in one go was £120. Louise Taylor, for Ford, said the incident was down to 'extremely poor decision making' but said he was a man of previous good character.

She added: "It was simply down to his finances and he was in a complete mess after losing his other job and was too embarrassed to go and get help for his debts."