A former flooring business manager, Andrew Cotton, has admitted stealing £15,700 of stock from to repay loan shark debts. The theft took place between 1 December 2022 and 8 July 2023.
© Abdul Razzaque | Dreamstime
Franks Factory Flooring's manager, Cotton, sold the stock to acquaintances and diverted the payments into his personal bank accounts.
Newcastle Crown Court sentenced him to 16 months in prison, suspended for two years, alongside a rehabilitation programme and a compensation order. The suspended sentence means Cotton will not serve time in prison unless he breaches the terms of the sentence.
The case highlights the risks of internal theft in retail and manufacturing sectors, particularly when staff misuse company assets to address personal financial issues.
Source: www.bigfurnituregroup.com
