A bar worker stole cash from a social club's safe then claimed the owners were framing him as part of an insurance scam when he was caught.
Matthew Euers was acting as manager of Southport Railway Club when he was caught on camera pocketing the monies. Thousands of pounds in takings were found to be missing in total.
Liverpool Crown Court heard this afternoon, Tuesday, that the 36-year-old had initially been employed a member of bar staff but became "de facto manager" when the previous incumbent of the role left in early November 2019. Kenneth Grant, prosecuting, described how the owners then discovered that around £4,000 in takings were "unaccounted for".
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When CCTV footage was checked, Euers - of Emmanuel Road - was seen locking up at around 1.15am on November 4 before returning at around 2am in a taxi. He did not turn the lights on upon entering, but made his way to the office and took a quantity of cash from the safe before placing it into his pocket.
The dad returned once more shortly after 2.30am and stole more money in the darkness, then left in taxi. After his arrest, Euers claimed that his bosses had invented the theft as part of an insurance scam - but Mr Grant added: "This obviously was not the case."
The defendant - who was represented by William Beardmore - has three previous convictions for four offences, last appearing in court in 2013 - when he received a community order after being convicted of theft by employee. He claims to have taken £1,000 in cash from the safe, which he "spent on what he perceived to be legitimate business expenses".
Euers admitted theft during an earlier hearing. He was handed an 18-week imprisonment suspended for 15 months plus a rehabilitation activity requirement of up to 15 days, as well as being fined £1,000 and told to pay £800 in court costs.
Sentencing, Judge Louise Brandon said: "There is of course the factor that increases the seriousness of this convictions, your previous conviction for a like offence. You are in work and your employers are aware of this position.
"You bear the bulk of the financial responsibility in your home, and there are no further convictions recorded against you since the commission of this offence. This offence crosses the custodial threshold, particularly in light of your previous conviction.
"I have reached the conclusion that, given your lack of further offending, there is a realistic prospect of rehabilitation. Appropriate punishment in this case can be achieved by a sentence which does not result in your immediate imprisonment today."
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