Bar worker confessed to fleecing employer (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

Bar worker confessed to fleecing employer

11:00am Tuesday 9th October 2012 in News

A BAR worker who stole booze and money from his bosses walked free from court yesterday after a judge was told he confessed to far more than what could have been proved.

Stephen Davies was questioned after his manager noticed a suspicious £4.60 receipt and discovered, after checking CCTV, that the 32- year-old was behind the bar on his day off.

When Davies was challenged, he owned up to taking money from the till at The Foundry, in Eston, Middlesbrough, and helping himself to vodka and whisky from the bar.

He later told police he pocketed at least £60 a week, as well as the booze, and said he had fleeced the pub company out of £3,000 over six months until May this year.

Teesside Crown Court heard that he had a drink problem and helped himself to measures of vodka and Jack Daniels, and also put customers’ money into his pocket.

Chris Moran, mitigating, said: “The majority of evidence in this case are his admissions – firstly to his employer and then to the police.

He is of previous good character.

“His employer had evidence of him taking £4.60. It is only his full and frank and open confession that led to it being far more than that.”

Davies was given a three-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, with Probation Service supervision and alcohol treatement.

Judge Peter Bowers told Davies, of Bowley Close, Middlesbrough: “I don’t see any point sending you to prison for a few weeks. That does not do anybody any good anyway.”