Financial controller of The Stafford hotel jailed for stealing £350,000

The financial controller of The Stafford hotel in Mayfair has been jailed for two years after stealing more than £350,000 from his employer as his gambling debts spiralled out of control.

 

Ian Kingswood became embroiled in a gambling spiral over a period of four years, betting ever-larger sums and even remortgaging his home in an attempt to recoup his losses, before he eventually confessed the situation in January last year.

 

The 2008 Best Group Hotel Catey winner is now taking the various gambling companies to court. The hotel released the following statement in response to the sentencing yesterday.

 

"Addiction, and in this case, gambling addiction is incredibly damaging and has severe consequences, as well as many casualties.

 

"Clearly this was a serious breach of trust over a long period of time where he had adopted a sophisticated system which passed both rigorous internal and external audits and the judge found fit to deliver a significant custodial sentence.

 

"The hospitality industry probably has more than its fair share of people with addictions of one form or another and I would encourage anyone who is struggling to cope with an addiction to seek help, advice and support at the earliest opportunity."

 

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By Gemma Sharkey

 

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