‘Trusted’ manager stole from firm

‘Trusted’ manager stole £2,000 from firm

A PROPERTY manager and gambling addict who helped himself to cash from a struggling firm has been spared jail.


Mark Esdaile was allowed access to Sunderland-based Liddell Dunbar Ltd’s bank accounts after he was taken on by the firm in February.

Newcastle Crown Court heard that within months the 29-year-old, who has a conviction for stealing from a previous employer, had helped himself to more than £2,000 belonging to the company.

Esdaile, a partly-qualified accountant, of Hyde Street, South Shields, admitted theft.

The court heard he has a long-term gambling habit, which he is trying to overcome.

Mr Recorder William Lowe sentenced him to three months’ imprisonment, suspended for a year with supervision to enable him to get help to beat his addiction.

Esdaile was also ordered to carry out 240 hours’ unpaid work.

The judge said: “Offences of this type, as is the case here, do lead to consequences for the businesses with whom the theft takes place.

“I am told there has been loss of employment as a result of the position the company is in.”The court heard Esdaile’s bosses at the firm had loaned him £1,200 to buy a car and £1,560 to help with bills, on top of his £16,000 salary.

Prosecutor John Brennan told the court how Esdaile quickly became a trusted member of the team and even had access to the company directors’ personal accounts.

It was when a company meeting was called in June that Esdaile’s bosses started to realise something was wrong when he kept making excuses why he could not come to work.

Mr Brennan said: “The employer then received a long e-mail in which he explained he had actually been dishonest.

“He had taken £1,500 from a Barclaycard and diverted £740 due to another creditor to his own account.”

Esdaile admitted what he had done when he was arrested.

The court heard in December 2009 Esdaile was dealt with by the courts for stealing £1,600 from his previous bosses.

Paul Currer, defending, said: “His problems stem from gambling, a deep-seated addiction since he was 18.

“It is amusement arcades and roulette wheels.”

Mr Currer said Esdaile had sought professional help for his addiction in the past but started missing meetings when he got taken on by Liddell Dunbar Ltd.

Esdaile now has a job in telesales, where he has no access to other people’s money.