GAMBLERS Anonymous in Bolton has criticised the sentence of a convicted thief who was told he must pay back every penny of the £136,000 he stole from his bosses.

Gambling addict Mark Dougill, who was jailed for two years in May, raised refund cheques for closed Eon accounts and sent them to friends who cashed them and split the proceeds with him.

A Proceeds of Crime hearing held at Bolton Crown Court last week ordered Dougill to pay back the stolen cash, plus interest, amounting to £136,410.96.

Dougill was found to have no assets and was ordered to pay a nominal amount of £5 — but he was told the debt would stay with him until it was paid.

Now, Gamblers Anonymous in Bolton, of which Dougill was a member, have hit out at the court’s decision.

And the organisation warned that other members who had been put under similar financial pressures in the past had taken their own lives.

A spokesman for the group, said: “We felt that the two-year sentence for the offence committed was lenient, but to read that he must repay £136,000 and that his debt will stay with him until such time as it is eventually paid off is, in our view, unreasonable and severe, taking into consideration that he has no assets.”

He said the proceeds of crime punishment could lead to Dougill falling back into the “destructive pattern of compulsive gambling” and jeopardise his relationship with his wife and children.

He said gambling was an illness, recognised by The British Medical Council and said: “With a more realistic order set, this young man of previous good character and educated to a high standard could develop into a valued member of the community, with the bad days behind him, and go on to provide a good life for his wife and children.”

Dougill, aged 36, of Frinton Road, Daubhill, worked for Eon in Lostock for almost 20 years before the fraud was discovered in December, 2006. The spokesman added: “We have had members in the past with fewer problems leave Gamblers Anonymous to find out later that they have taken their life because of the financial pressure they are under.”

Dougill’s six co-accused appeared in court last week and were also ordered to repay the cash they stole in the deception. Some of the defendants are likely to lose their homes as a result.