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12
Mar
Employee admits stealing from Harrogate hospital’s WH Smith
A man stole money from his employer to put towards a bond for a property, Harrogate Magistrates Court has been told.
James Chambers, 47, appeared in court this morning (March 12) when he admitted theft by employee.
Alison Whiteley, prosecuting, told the court Chambers began working at WH Smith at Harrogate District Hospital towards the end of July 2024.
He was made a team leader, Ms Whiteley said, meaning he was responsible for banking cash from the till.
After staff noticed a “large cash shortage” on October 16 that year, an investigation was launched and CCTV footage of the store was reviewed.
The court heard footage showed Chambers, of Oystercatcher Place in Green Hammerton, taking money from the till.
On one occasion – October 9 – he was seen to take £240 in cash from the till and put it in his pocket, but he returned the money the following morning.
However, just two days later, CCTV captured Chambers returning to the shop after it had shut for the day. He went inside and opened the safe, from which he stole £990 in cash.
Ms Whiteley said Chambers admitted taking the cash during an interview, explaining it was “for a bond for a flat”.
The defendant pledged to pay the money back, but never did.
The case was supposed to be dealt with by way of an out-of-court-disposal, but Chambers, who has no previous convictions, failed to attend and police charged him with the offence.
Defendant made full admission to police and employer
Liam Jackson, defending, told the magistrates it was Chambers’ first time before a court and he was remorseful for his actions.
He said:
He told his work in interview what he did and made a full admission. He also admitted the offence to police during an interview.
The court heard Chambers’ mother died before the offence, which had a “considerable effect” on him.
In addition, the defendant needed to find somewhere to live after his relationship at the time broke down.
“He found a house, which required a bond, so he stole the money”, Mr Jackson said.
He added:
He regrets it.
Mr Chambers has not committed any other offences since that. It was also a short period during which he committed this offence, and he held his hands up at the first opportunity.
Mr Jackson told the court Chambers is “willing and more than happy” to pay back the stolen money, despite him not currently working.
When the magistrates asked Mr Jackson why the defendant had not yet paid the money back, he responded:
Mr Chambers tells me he had spoken to a relative who would pay the money on his behalf, but that fell through.
Chambers was ordered to pay a total of £1,355, comprising a £200 fine, £990 in compensation to WH Smith, an £80 surcharge and £85 in prosecution costs.
Following sentence, Chambers said: “I’m very sorry for what I did.”
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