Employee stole huge haul of stock before selling it on eBay

Steven Keith Fugatt, 31, started the theft from Bournemouth-based family business Outdoorgear Group Ltd in March 2020 and it continued for more than a year.

A judge at Bournemouth Crown Court, who spared him immediate custody, said his offending involved a breach of trust, with significant planning and significant harm caused to the victim.

Judge Robert Pawson told the defendant: “You, under financial pressure, started stealing from your employer in March 2020 and, as you frankly acknowledge, in due course that became greed.”

He added: “There was more than a little degree of planning.

"You had an eBay account, you had to work out transport, delivery and you must have had to do something in terms of the firm’s computing and stock taking.”

If the items had been sold by the business to members of the public, the value was said to be £54,781.

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The judge ordered that Fugatt pay a sum of £31,479 as restoration to his former employer by the end of the week. This figure was the price it cost the business to purchase the goods, including VAT.

The court heard this sum was considered acceptable by the business’s owner, who Judge Pawson described as being “extremely phlegmatic”.

Oliver Capildeo, representing Fugatt, said the defendant’s father’s bank account showed a balance which exceeded the cost price of the stolen stock so the request could be met.

Prosecuting, Thomas Ackworth said the offence included a breach of trust and there was a degree of planning in the theft.

He said it was further aggravated by the duration over which it was conducted.

“The fact it happened during the Covid pandemic will have had a great impact on the business,” Mr Ackworth said.

Mr Capildeo said: “It was relatively speaking a pretty basic operation that was being conducted by Mr Fuggat.”

He added: “Once a loose thread was picked, it all unravelled pretty quickly indeed.”

The barrister said the defendant “held his hands up” to what he had done.

Mr Capildeo said Fugatt, of Grove Road West, Christchurch, was now working at Ferndown Golf Club and his current employer was aware of the court proceedings. He said they were willing to support the defendant in allowing him to complete any community punishments issued by the judge.

The defendant had no relevant previous convictions and the judge accepted his remorse.

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Judge Pawson said the offender was fortunate to have supportive parents.

He told Fugatt: “They care for you and they want right to be done. The first right thing to do is make sure the victim is repaid.”

Fugatt was sentenced to 14 months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years, after he pleaded guilty to a charge of theft at an earlier hearing.

This included requirements to carry out 140 hours of unpaid work, take part in up to 30 days of rehabilitation activity requirement and follow an overnight curfew for three months.

Before letting the defendant leave the dock the judge told him he hoped he had learnt his lesson and he would repay the support he had received from his parents.

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