Logistics North worker stole 25 shower units from employer

Peter Hodson, 45, stole the showers while working for Logistics North based PJH Group.

Bolton Crown Court heard how other workers had become suspicious after seeing Hodson park his car in the grounds and alerted a manager.

Prosecutor Tom White said: “He witnessed on the CCTV footage Mr Hodson loading several items into his vehicle from the warehouse.”

They turned out to be boxed shower units and Hodson was called in for question where he admitted to stealing six units, which he offered to return.

The case was heard at Bolton Crown Court (Image: Newsquest)

But further investigation into the CCTV footage showed that Hodson had stolen from the company before.

He was revealed to have stolen a total of 25 units, coming to a value of around £6,000.

Mr White said: “He had access to the warehouse and as a member of staff he has, in that sense, abused the trust of his employer.”

But Mr White admitted that this was not as serious as it could have been if he had been a bookkeeper or accountant with access to finances.

Brought before the magistrates court Hodson, who has four previous convictions for five offences, pleaded guilty to theft by employee.

Brendan O’Leary, defending, argued that the 45-year-old was entitled to credit and told the court that he was a “complex individual.”

He said: “He’s an educated man who has worked in areas of employment that require responsibility.”

He added: “He is different from the person who committed these offences back in May and June 2022.”

Mr O’Leary also said that Hodson, of Cambrian Close in Salford, posed a low risk of offending again and that he could rely on several supportive statements from family members.

Recorder Gavin McBride accepted that Hodson had been going through hard times but reminded him of the seriousness of his actions.

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He said: “You were on a downward spiral, you got yourself into difficulty and you didn’t do the right thing.”

He added: “It wasn’t a one off, the fact that you did it and did it again is significant.”

Recorder McBride sentenced Hodson to 20 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, and ordered him to complete 16 rehabilitation activity requirement days with 120 hours of unpaid work.

He also ordered the defendant to pay £4,000 in compensation over a two-year period.