The ticket boss of the world-famous Barbican Centre blew over £30,000 gambling online after crediting his own bank accounts in a year-long refund scam.
Ex-ticket sales manager Christopher John Todd, 35, of Cavalier Court, St. Mark’s Road, Teddington, Middlesex, was arrested after a member of his team anonymously tipped-off bosses.
First-time offender Todd pleaded guilty at City of London Magistrates’ Court that between August 21, 2008 and September 29, last year, he dishonestly abused his position intending to make a gain, namely £33,183, by refunding tickets to his account.
Prosecutor Mrs. Varinder Hayre told the court: “This defendant was employed as the ticket sales manager at the Barbican Centre and on September 29 last year the head of finance received information from an anonymous member of staff that Mr. Todd had made multiple refunds to a switch card.
“It was discovered he made several refunds to two of his Nat West Bank cards totaling £33,183.
“The refunds took place after the events and each refund had a different customer’s name.”
Todd (pictured) was investigated by the City of London Police’s Economic Crime Department.
“When interviewed he said his father was severely ill and he had succumbed to a gambling addiction as a coping mechanism and was a registered member of Paddy Power.
“The stolen money was only used to gamble with and was not used to purchase any items,” added Mrs. Hayre.
Todd’s lawyer Miss Theresa Donovan told the JP’s: “He is a man of good character. He has never been arrested in his life before and apologises profusely.
“He made full admissions and admits the amounts. He gave police all the details of how the offence came about.
“He has suffered severe depression throughout his life and has made two suicide attempts at the age of seventeen and in his mid-twenties”, explained Miss Donovan.
“His father was dying of cancer and, in fact, died some months ago and Mr. Todd had got into difficulties coping with that and developed an online gambling addiction, where all the proceeds of the offence went.”
Todd now faces a date with the Old Bailey after the magistrates decided their sentencing powers were insufficient.
“The offence is serious. This was a substantial amount defrauded from your employers,” Chairwoman Mrs. Gaye Chaney told Todd, who was committed for sentence to the Central Criminal Court on unconditional bail.
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