Former manager and delivery driver of Wisbech Blok N Mesh sentenced for stealing fence panels and selling them on

The former branch manager of a Wisbech manufacturing depot “abused his position” by stealing fence panels from his place of work to sell them for his own profit on Facebook Market Place.

Trevor Davis, 53, appeared at King’s Lynn Magistrates’ Court on Thursday where he was sentenced for committing theft from his employer.

He appeared in court alongside Paul Ware, 59, who was working as a delivery driver for the company at the time.

Both Davis and Ware worked at Blok N Mesh in Wisbech.

Both previously admitted to committing employee theft.

The court heard that Davis would organise the private sellings, which took place between April 1 to December 20 last year.

He would ask Ware to make the deliveries and offer £100 cash for each delivery of fence panels.

It is unknown exactly how many fence panels were stolen - prosecutor Stephen Munton said that Blok N Mesh’s HR manager David Carroll reported that the company lost £15,700 through Davis’ and Ware’s actions.

However, Andrew Cogan, mitigating for Davis, said that his client only admitted to taking and selling 90 fence panels at £30 each, causing a total loss of £2,700 to the company.

In a business impact statement provided by Blok N Mesh, the company said since the thefts occurred, they had fired Davis and Ware and had to recruit new staff.

It added that security had been upgraded in the store and there had been a “loss of employee morale” at the store.

The company said it felt that its reputation had been “tarnished”.

Davis had previous convictions of employee theft and false accounting dating back to 1992.

In mitigation, Andrew Cogan explained that Ware had claimed that Davis was the “ring leader” in the operation.

“It doesn’t matter who the ring leader was, it was a joint enterprise,” said Mr Cogan.

“The previous offence is over 30 years ago when he was a very young man.”

The solicitor added: “He is hoping to find work but obviously with this conviction it will be harder for him.”

Mr Cogan urged magistrates not to send Davis to prison.

Ware appeared unrepresented in court and said: “As far as I know, I was at work.

“I was a new driver and I was doing my job. I pleaded guilty because I was involved with it. I couldn’t deny that.”

Magistrates, led by John Hare, ordered both men to carry out a community order.

Speaking to Davis, Mr Hare said: “You were acting as the depot manager, you had more responsibility.

“For your employer, it must have been a great shock that you were selling panels on the quiet.

“You were in a position of trust that you abused.”

Davis, of West Drove South, Gedney Hill near Spalding, was handed a 12-month community order and 150 hours of unpaid work.

He will also complete 10 rehabilitation activity days and pay £1,350 in compensation to Blok N Mesh.

Ware, of Sandringham Avenue in Wisbech, will pay the same amount in compensation and also carry out a 12-month community order.

He will also complete 80 hours of unpaid work.