LINCOLN: A Jewson branch manager in Bourne stole a bathroom suite worth nearly £6000 over the course of a year and had it installed in his home.
Nicholas Franklin ordered the suite from various suppliers using Jewson as the purchaser and then wrote off the items from the store’s computer system, Spalding magistrates heard.
Mr Franklin appeared before the court last week and admitted stealing the suite worth £5895 between February 2011 and February 2012.
Rebecca Ritson, prosecuting, said the theft was identified when a security consultant went to Mr Franklin’s home and saw the bathroom fittings installed. Mr Franklin had worked for Jewson for 15 years and held the position of branch manager for six years. He was suspended when the theft came to light.
When interviewed, Mr Franklin said the purchase of the items from suppliers had earned Jewson “credits”. He said by being dishonest, he had also made the branch and Jewson money and that he didn’t do it to make Jewson out of pocket.
Ms Ritson asked for the case to be sent to the crown court for sentencing because there was an abuse of trust, the offence was committed over a year and there was “a degree of organisation and sophistication” about the way paperwork was manipulated. The high value of the suite also made it suitable for the crown court.
Solicitor Bill Millar, for Mr Franklin, said he would not address the court on the facts if magistrates were minded to send the case to the higher court.
