A trusted worker is facing jail after stealing more than £46,000-worth of jewels from a Newcastle Jewellers.
Devious Keiran Hurhangee was employed at Williamson Brown Jewellers, in Jesmond, when he subtly began helping himself to some of the stock. A court heard that, over a two-year period, the 44-year-old repeatedly breached his boss's trust by pocketing rings, bracelets, necklaces and other expensive items, worth a total of £46,865.65.
But Hurhangee's scheming eventually caught up with him and his dishonesty was finally discovered. He was reported to the police and appeared in the dock on Wednesday to plead guilty to one count of theft by employee.
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Hurhangee, of Warwick Street, in Heaton, is now facing spending time behind bars after a judge at Newcastle Magistrates' Court deemed her powers of sentence were insufficient. District Judge Kate Meek told him: "I think your solicitor has probably spoken to you about what was likely to happen today.
"Because of the value involved, the nature of the offence and the role you had in the company, my view is this case should be committed to the crown court. The crown court is in the same building as this but on the floor above. You will be released on conditional bail with a condition of residence at your address. If you breach that bail, you could be remanded in custody."
The court heard that Hurhangee stole the items between December 1 2018 and September 24 2020. Sue Baker, prosecuting, added: "I would say this is not suitable for this court's jurisdiction given that it's theft from an employer and the value involved."
Peter Doherty, defending, agreed that the case should be committed to the crown court but said there was a discrepancy between the prosecution and Hurhangee about the value of the stolen goods, with Hurhangee claiming it was lower. He will next appear at Newcastle Crown Court on August 24 for sentence.
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