Telford salesman stole £14,000 from employers to fund gambling habit

Junyao Tang, 30, was working for Lucky 8 Foods, based at Stafford Park in Telford, when he took the money, Shrewsbury Crown Court was told.

He was hired as a sales representative and took cash from new clients he set up for the company. In total he pocketed £14,119.98.

The court heard he had previously stolen £7,000 but managed to repay it before it was noticed by the business.

Mr Kevin Jones, prosecuting, said that he had worked for Lucky 8 from September 1, 2015, to May 12, 2016, but based on Tang's own admissions, the crimes only took place for a few months of that period, in a bid to fund a gambling problem.

Mr Jones said: "The employers say they checked his history and were happy with his employment.

"He was dealing with businesses based in Lincoln, but the business' head office is in Telford.

"Part of his role was dealing with existing customers and obtaining new ones. The theft of money came from those new customers.

"The crimes came to light when two customers were sent debt letters saying there was money to be paid. They said they had paid in cash to this defendant, that led to an audit."

Mr Jones told the court that the company's policy was for sales reps like Tang to take orders, which would be delivered by drivers who would receive payment as they had a safe place to store it in their vehicles.

But while setting up new custom, Tang introduced a new scheme, allowing him to steal some of the money. About eight customers were affected by the crime.

Probation officer Fiona Wilson said Tang had expressed some remorse for his crime and had been suspended from his current job and was expecting to be discharged by them on sentence.

He had since secured part-time work as a chef in a bid to keep earning money to pay back his debt to the company, she said.

Tang is currently living with his parents in West Parade, Lincoln, and also has a child who lives with his estranged partner in China.

Mrs Wilson said: "He has now deleted all gambling apps and his mother his helping to monitor and assist him with his efforts to stop gambling.

"He has said he would welcome any assistance the probation service could offer."

Tang had admitted one charge of theft when he appeared at Telford Magistrates on October 20. He was given a suspended sentence of 10 months, held for two years, with a 30 day rehabilitation requirement and must complete 150 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay a contribution to costs of £250 and a victim surcharge.

The prosecution will now seek to make an application for a Proceeds of Crime Hearing to reclaim some of the money.