Charity worker stole £8,000 of British Heart Foundation takings and spent it on drink and gambling (From St Helens Star)

Charity worker David Owen stole £8,000 of British Heart Foundation takings and spent it on drink and gambling

9:49am Friday 22nd March 2013 in News

A CHARITY shop worker is facing jail after admitting stealing more than £8,000 and spending the cash on drinking and gambling.

David Owen, of Exeter Street, St Helens, who worked for the British Heart Foundation, pleaded guilty to nine counts of theft from the shop on Bridge Street in a hearing before St Helens Magistrates.

The charges read out in court related to incidents dating from December 5, 2012 to January 21, this year. It involved thefts on individual days ranging from £1,176, to £455.

Angela Blackmore, prosecuting, said that his superior at the shop believed he (Owen) was responsible for the money going missing. He found that takings on several dates had not been banked.

She said that Owen, 29, admitted taking the money during a police interview, following his arrest.

Miss Blackmore said: “He had debts of £500 and decided to take the first amount to pay it off.

“When he was paid, he would give the money back.

“He knew the profits would have gone to charity.

“He saw the rest of the money sat there and went on nights out.

“He took more money and tried to gamble to win enough back to pay it back.

“Things spiralled out of control and he was drinking and gambling because he felt bad about it and he has expressed remorse.”

Magistrates committed the case to Liverpool Crown Court, when Owen is due to next appear at the end of next month.