£30,000 theft went on man's gambling

Robert Wilde was working at the time as an assistant accountant for Seaquist Closure Ltd in Morley, Leeds.

His dishonesty came to light in July last year after discrepancies were noticed and it was found money had been diverted into an online bank account.

The police were called in and it was discovered the account was in Wilde's name, Peter Moulson prosecuting told Leeds Crown Court yesterday.

Wilde absented himself from work but sent a text message to the firm's financial controller admitting responsibility. He then confessed he had taken more than originally thought, stealing on five occasions and covering up with falsified orders or invoices.

Glenn Parsons, for Wilde, said the thefts were bound to be discovered and were due to gambling addiction. He was now regularly attending Gamblers Anonymous and was rebuilding his life having found work in a day nursery.

Wilde, 41 of Eskdale Grove, Leeds, was given a 12-month jail sentence suspended for two years plus 100 hours' unpaid work after he admitted theft.