Karl Alford, 38, worked as a supervisor at Go Outdoors and conspired with his junior colleague, Joseph Clarke, 21, to steal nearly £8,000 worth of products from the store using gift cards. Alford stole rucksacks, battery packs, and tents between March and October last year, totaling £7,956.97. The court heard that Clarke, a retail assistant, issued refunds to Alford and accepted gift cards to purchase items from the store, encouraged by Alford to participate in the theft.
Clarke, accompanied by his parents in court, admitted to his involvement and has since started a three-year mechanic apprenticeship. He was ordered to repay £678.40 to Go Outdoors and complete 60 hours of unpaid work. The magistrates emphasized the importance of completing the assigned tasks and moving past the incident.
Alford will be sentenced on December 11 after a pre-sentence report is prepared by the probation service. The defense argued that the theft was not planned but rather evolved over time, with Clarke being influenced by Alford to participate. Despite initially refusing, Clarke eventually gave in to Alford’s persuasion and engaged in the wrongful behavior. The court acknowledged that Clarke was not the instigator but was led astray by others.
The case sheds light on the issue of employee theft and the consequences it can have on both individuals and businesses. It serves as a reminder of the importance of ethical behavior in the workplace and the repercussions that can follow when such behavior is compromised. As Clarke embarks on a new career path, it is hoped that he has learned from this experience and will strive to make better choices in the future. The outcome of Alford’s sentencing will further highlight the seriousness of the offense and the need for accountability in cases of employee theft.