Worker repaid boss stolen €33k

A trusted salesman’s theft of €33,500 from his employer could have put a furniture store out of business but for the fact that the money was repaid, a court has heard.

John Colbert of Dwyer Road, Midleton, Co Cork, was given a three-year suspended term at Cork Circuit Criminal Court yesterday, where he had admitted eight sample charges on a 24-count indictment.

Defence barrister Ray Boland said that while Colbert was pleading guilty to the sample counts, the sentencing would take into consideration all of the counts against him.

Colbert admitted dishonestly taking sums, from about €2,000 to €4,000, from Lucey Furniture of Dwyer Rd, Midleton.

Mr Boland confirmed Colbert had paid the compensation in full to his former employer in respect of the offences between Apr 2010 and Dec 2011.

Det Sgt Seán Leahy said the injured party, Michael Lucey, opened the furniture store in Nov 2004 and employed Colbert to buy and sell furniture. He said Colbert would write lodgement slips but not lodge the money, or fill out the cash book and keep the money if it was a cash sale. He has since repaid the money.

“The injured party is still trading. The loss would have closed him if the money was not paid. The injured party is happy that it has been paid,” said Det Sgt Leahy.