Supermarket worker stole from employer (From Basildon Recorder)
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Supermarket worker stole from employer
1:00pm Thursday 18th October 2012 in News By Chloe Chapman
A SUPERMARKET worker who used fraudulent gift cards to steal from her employer has escaped a jail term.
Angela Clarkson, 56, scanned barcodes and made false refunds at Asda on Rawreth Lane, Rayleigh, before using the gift cards to purchase food.
Over a six-month period she stole £1,454 as well as taking CDs and DVDs for Christmas presents.
The thefts began in August last year after a colleague showed Clarkson, of May Avenue, Canvey, how to create the dodgy gift cards.
Basildon Crown Court heard that whilst Asda supermarkets generally lose about £8,000 each year through loss of stock, the Rayleigh branch lost £29,000 in 2011.
Jessica Russell-Mitra, defending Arthur, said: “She is a lady of limited education who left school at 16 with four GCSEs, and has been in low level but steady work ever since then. The scam is highly sophisticated and one which she could never have dreamt up herself. Mrs Clarkson is aware of how serious her actions were and is remorseful for taking part and giving in to temptation.
“The money wasn’t being used to fund a luxury lifestyle, she was in a financial crisis.”
Clarkson used the scam to pay for her weekly shop after her husband lost his job as a lorry driver and the couple struggled to pay their rent and bills on her £800 a month wages.
Her husband believed that she was getting a discount on Christmas gifts and has since left her after finding out that she in fact stole the items
Clarkson has been given a 12 month community order after admitting ten counts of fraud by false representation between August and December last year, as well as three thefts of unknown value on December 18 and 21.
Addressing Clarkson at her sentencing, Recorder Elroy Claxton said: “Your actions were dishonest and your involvement would have continued if it hadn’t been for the quick-thinking of your bosses at Asda.
“You clearly breached the position of trust you were given. The offences are very serious and were carried out over a period of time.”
Comments(13)
Nebs
says...
2:23pm Thu 18 Oct 12
keith_l wrote:4 x GCSE's from 40 years ago is the equivalent of a 2:1 degree today.
Sorry, but somebody leaving school 40 years ago would not have sat GCSEs as reported. From what it writen it is likely that they were CSEs but may have been GCE O Levels. There is a significant difference between these.
perini
says...
2:49pm Thu 18 Oct 12
Ironman
says...
5:31pm Thu 18 Oct 12
perini
says...
5:55pm Thu 18 Oct 12
Ironman wrote:Oh that's OK then!!
Well, it was to buy food and prezzies.
Rollocks
says...
6:04pm Thu 18 Oct 12
Basildon.lad.21
says...
8:50pm Thu 18 Oct 12
Olivia2847
says...
8:46am Fri 19 Oct 12
Olivia2847
says...
8:47am Fri 19 Oct 12
Olivia2847 wrote:So take her back and make her a store detective .......
The money that ASDA pay - who can blame her - you know it makes sense, so every little helps!
APR
says...
11:43am Fri 19 Oct 12
Olivia2847 wrote:How much do they pay ?
The money that ASDA pay - who can blame her - you know it makes sense, so every little helps!
Rochford Rob
says...
2:03pm Fri 19 Oct 12
perini wrote:Swimming in the Thames during the boat race will get you 6 months. What, what !
So what exactly do you have to do these days to get put away: stealing from your employer - not good enough! stealing from the tax-payer - not good enough! Crime really does seem to pay!
Olivia2847
says...
3:45pm Fri 19 Oct 12
APR wrote:ASDA.com
Olivia2847 wrote:How much do they pay ?
The money that ASDA pay - who can blame her - you know it makes sense, so every little helps!
Eric Whim
says...
4:00pm Sat 20 Oct 12
Nebs wrote:at least.
keith_l wrote:4 x GCSE's from 40 years ago is the equivalent of a 2:1 degree today.
Sorry, but somebody leaving school 40 years ago would not have sat GCSEs as reported. From what it writen it is likely that they were CSEs but may have been GCE O Levels. There is a significant difference between these.
Two 'A' levels from 40 years ago has got to be the equivalent of a PhD these days....
keith_l says...
2:00pm Thu 18 Oct 12