Jailed: Shrewsbury addict stole £12,000 from employer

Daniel Simmons stole the cash over a period of about five months while working for Wem-based VW Camper Dream Interiors, Shrewsbury Crown Court heard.

He was jailed for 10 months when he appeared before the court, having admitted one count of theft.

Mr Delroy Henry, prosecuting, said the family firm was run by Ron Candlin who started to notice discrepancies in the company's bank account in October last year.

It emerged that Simmons, 25, from Stapleton Road in Meole Brace, Shrewsbury, had been using the company's online bank details to make payments of his own.

In all, he managed to steal a total of £12,156 over the course of 74 transactions.

Mr Henry told the court that the money had gone towards gambling online and to pay iTunes, Amazon, Argos and Now TV.

During the course of him spending the cash, the business went into debt and incurred bank charges of £146.85.

The court heard that it forced Mr Candlin to remortgage his home to keep the business afloat.

Mr Candlin, who had been planning to hand the business down to his son Steve, confronted Simmons. The court heard he initially denied any wrongdoing but then admitted it, claiming he had been funding his cocaine and gambling habit.

Mr Henry said: "He was in a position of trust. It was that trust which allowed him unfettered access to their computer systems."

He said Simmons had been taken on by the firm on a self-employed basis which involved electrical and carpentry work.

Mrs Debra White, for Simmons, said her client had been addicted to alcohol, drugs and had a gambling addiction.

She said: "That doesn't excuse his behaviour. It does explain his behaviour. It is behaviour he is ashamed of. He is remorseful."

Simmons will also have to pay £5,000 compensation.