A delivery driver stole over £21,000 worth of stock from his employer after falling into ‘overwhelming’ debt following his wife’s death.
Stephen Hale, 57, was working for a small company which manufactured hot water cylinders, when they became aware of a number of boxes of valves going missing.
Upon searching the CCTV, they discovered Hale, of Stalybridge, putting the boxes into his van. These were not something he delivered as part of his role, Minshull Street Crown Court heard. Join our FREE Manchester Crime and Court WhatsApp group by clicking here In total, Hale stole 1,110 valves, costing £21,318.
After pleading guilty at an earlier hearing to theft by an employee, he was handed a suspended prison term. Opening the case, Laura Broome said Hale began working for the company, World Heat, in March 2021 as a delivery driver.
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