Wolverhampton shop worker stole £13,000 from employer

A former camping shop worker who stole more than £13,000 from his employer has been ordered to pay back more than he pocketed.

Stephen Ashton stole the money by making up false refunds at Go Outdoors in Wolverhampton, where he had worked since September 2008. At a proceeds of crime hearing held at Wolverhampton Crown Court, Recorder Kevin Hegarty made a confiscation order for £13,598. Ashton was also told he must pay Go Outdoors on Eagle Street, off Bilston Road, £12,977 in compensation.

But Judge Hegarty ruled that the 23-year-old, of Ilsham Grove in Longbridge, Birmingham, did not have enough cash to pay back both amounts and told him £9,727 from the confiscation order could go towards paying off the compensation.

In total he must pay back £16,848.

The judge said: "I believe the defendant will not have sufficient monies to satisfy both orders."

Yesterday's hearing was told that Ashton had benefited by £13,598 from the offences.

But the court was also told that he had not spent any of the money.

Prison

Judge Hegarty told Ashton: "The money is sitting in a series of bank accounts and has been there since it was taken. We will ask for an order to unfreeze the bank accounts.

"I will ask for the money to be paid back within six months."

At Wolverhampton Crown Court in April, Ashton avoided a prison sentence after admitting theft and fraud.

He was caught stealing £20 from a till at Go Outdoors. He was searched and police found more than £1,000 on him.

He confessed that he had taken around £13,000 over a period of several weeks. Ashton is no longer employed by the firm.

He was given a community order with a supervision order for 12 months.

Ashton was also ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work.

Bosses at Go Outdoors refused to comment yesterday.

By Laura Blyth