richardhastings
22-03-2010, 02:50 PM
Working the night shift in a call centre, Michael Campbell thought no one would mind if he helped himself to a biscuit tin in the office.
However, the £7 Marks & Spencer selection box belonged to colleague Pamela Harrison, who on returning to work the following day realised her shortbreads had been swiped.
CCTV footage was duly examined and Campbell, 27, was identified as the culprit. The technical support worker was then arrested.
Now Campbell, who thought the biscuits had been bought by bosses for communal use, has been ordered by Newcastle magistrates to repay the cost of the biscuits and pay £150 court costs. He was also given a 12-month conditional discharge.
Campbell, who was sacked after the incident at Convergys call centre in Newcastle city centre, initially denied the charge of theft but changed his plea to guilty at a hearing on Thursday.
Ms Harrison said in a statement read to the court that taking the biscuits from her desk had invaded her privacy.
She said: ‘I'm disappointed that someone who is working as a work colleague finds the need to prowl around people's personal space and take items which, though of low value, can make someone feel insecure.’
The city's magistrates agreed, despite pleas for leniency from Campbell's defence solicitor over the December 9, 2009, offence.
Chairman of the bench Lesley Pyrah told him: ‘What you did was a breach of trust and there is no excuse for a breach of trust.
‘There is also no excuse for a late guilty plea when you could have pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and you didn't.’
Jeff Smith, defending Campbell, said: ‘When I was doing my training I hardly thought I'd have to appear in a courtroom over something like this.
‘I know you can say that theft is theft, but it is tragic that someone like Mr Campbell should lose his good character over this.
‘He hasn't been before the courts before and he won't be before the courts again in the future.’
After the hearing, Campbell, of Wallsend, Tyne And Wear, told of his disbelief at being prosecuted for the offence and said he is now in training to become a bar manager.
He said: 'It's totally stupid. £157 for one box of biscuits. I thought they were from the company but they were actually from a person who had brought them in.
'I work in a pub now where I am trusted with the keys. I am not a dishonest person.'
However, the £7 Marks & Spencer selection box belonged to colleague Pamela Harrison, who on returning to work the following day realised her shortbreads had been swiped.
CCTV footage was duly examined and Campbell, 27, was identified as the culprit. The technical support worker was then arrested.
Now Campbell, who thought the biscuits had been bought by bosses for communal use, has been ordered by Newcastle magistrates to repay the cost of the biscuits and pay £150 court costs. He was also given a 12-month conditional discharge.
Campbell, who was sacked after the incident at Convergys call centre in Newcastle city centre, initially denied the charge of theft but changed his plea to guilty at a hearing on Thursday.
Ms Harrison said in a statement read to the court that taking the biscuits from her desk had invaded her privacy.
She said: ‘I'm disappointed that someone who is working as a work colleague finds the need to prowl around people's personal space and take items which, though of low value, can make someone feel insecure.’
The city's magistrates agreed, despite pleas for leniency from Campbell's defence solicitor over the December 9, 2009, offence.
Chairman of the bench Lesley Pyrah told him: ‘What you did was a breach of trust and there is no excuse for a breach of trust.
‘There is also no excuse for a late guilty plea when you could have pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and you didn't.’
Jeff Smith, defending Campbell, said: ‘When I was doing my training I hardly thought I'd have to appear in a courtroom over something like this.
‘I know you can say that theft is theft, but it is tragic that someone like Mr Campbell should lose his good character over this.
‘He hasn't been before the courts before and he won't be before the courts again in the future.’
After the hearing, Campbell, of Wallsend, Tyne And Wear, told of his disbelief at being prosecuted for the offence and said he is now in training to become a bar manager.
He said: 'It's totally stupid. £157 for one box of biscuits. I thought they were from the company but they were actually from a person who had brought them in.
'I work in a pub now where I am trusted with the keys. I am not a dishonest person.'