Bolton fraudster who stole thousands ordered to pay back just £1

Gareth Edwards worked as operations manager at Big Chief Tipis, a family-run Radcliffe business which supplied traditional Native American tents to weddings and parties.

In December last year, Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court heard how Edwards created false invoices to pay money into his account and also filmed women in vulnerable positions without their knowledge for his own sexual gratification.

Read more: Fraudster stole thousands and secretly filmed women

Edwards, of Willand Close, Breightmet, had worked for Big Chief Tipis, which was based on Vale Street, Radcliffe, between May 2018 and October 2019.

The court heard how Edwards took advantage of the trust placed in him and stole more than £17,000 from the company by creating false invoices and paying the money into his own bank account.

However, when Edwards home was put up for sale in 2019 after separating from his ex-wife, the invoices and electronic recordings of women he had made was discovered.

The recordings showed that Edwards had secretly filmed two different women for his own sexual gratification.

One of them took place between 2011 and 2013, while the second victim had been lured to his home to use sunbeds.

On March 4, 2021, Edwards pleaded guilty to voyeurism and producing indecent images and he was sentenced to two years in prison, suspended for two years and ordered him to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work with 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

A Proceeds Of Crime Act hearing on Wednesday was told that Edwards stole a total of £21,259.29.

Prosecuting, Rachael Woods said Edwards had no assets and therefore recommended a compensation order to be put in place of £1.

Defending, Julien Goode agreed with Ms Woods and asked for seven to 14 days for the payment to be made.

Recorder Kate Cornell accepted the recommendations and ordered Edwards to pay back £1 within 14 days.