Corkman committed 'crazy act' of 196 thefts from employer who was more like a friend

Judge Colin Daly said the man 'was employed for 14 years in this small family business and was treated like a member of the family'

Cork Circuit Criminal Court heard that Alan Mitchell had just paid back the compensation in full. File picture: Larry Cummins

A 40-year-old man who breached the trust of a family business where he was employed for 14 years was given a 20-month suspended sentence for “the crazy act” of stealing €12,500 through 196 separate thefts carried out over four years.

Alan Mitchell pleaded guilty to sample charges from an indictment where there were 196 charges of theft from his former employer at a motor factors amounting to €12,500. He paid back the money in full.