A MAN has been jailed for stealing £90,000 worth of stamps from his Barnsley employer - before selling them on to fund luxury holidays.
Andrew Swales, 39, of Woodland View, Thongsbridge, in Holmfirth, appeared at Sheffield Crown Court today (Friday 22 April) where he was sentenced to one year and eight months for theft.
The court heard that over a period of three years, from 2009 to 2012, Swales ordered and then stole thousands of books of first and second class stamps whilst manager of the Co-operative on Snape Hill Road, Darfield.
Police launched an investigation in July 2013 after an internal investigation revealed large, high value orders of postage stamps were unaccounted for.
Swales’ home was subsequently searched, and a quantity of first and second-class stamps were recovered.
Detective Constable Graeme Badcock, the investigating officer, said: “Swales stole postage stamps that he had ordered to the store, before selling them on and using the money to buy electrical goods, fund foreign holidays and gamble, all at the expense of his employer.
“This was a lifestyle beyond his means. His sentencing today is the result of a lengthy and complex investigation and I would like to thank everyone who has assisted in bringing Swales to justice, including staff at the Co-operative group. Thefts from businesses are not victimless crimes.”
