An employee, with a
company specialising in selling luxury items all over the world, who
was caught ordering over £20,000 worth of mobile phones for himself
has escaped jail with a suspended sentence.
James Eggleston, 32, of Tennyson Road, Ashford, Kent claims bankruptcy and outstanding payday
loans were behind the serious breach of trust.
He pleaded guilty at
Croydon Crown Court (pictured) to stealing sixty-two phones between May 1, 2011
and February 15, last year from HH Associates Ltd, City House, Sutton
Park Road, Sutton.
The court heard Eggleston
ordered the phones on the company's account, initially for family and
friends, giving some away and then selling each device for around
£100.
When confronted by his
bosses first-time offender Eggleston immediately confessed to the
scam, but was unable to pay any of the money back.
They then reported him to
the police and he was arrested.
Eggleston, whose home is
in negative equity, obtained advice from the Citizens Advice Bureau
concerning his debts and he is now making monthly payments.
Judge Nicholas Ainley told
him: “Many people get into terrible financial trouble, but few
resort to theft, particularly when there is a breach of trust.
“This was over twenty
thousand pounds worth of theft.”
Eggleston was sentenced to
sixteen months imprisonment, suspended for two years and was ordered
to perform 150 hours community service work.
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