Cheltenham pub manager found guilty of stealing thousands

The former manager of a Cheltenham pub has been found guilty of stealing more than £14,000 from the business.

Steven Holmes, 35, had denied stealing a total of £14,225 from the Bottle of Sauce in Albion Street, Cheltenham, between July 2017 and January 2018, but was convicted after a jury reached a majority verdict of 10-2 after hearing he had a gambling habit.

Gloucester Crown Court heard that Holmes, of Bridgend, South Wales, had been responsible for cashing up at the end of a shift and for banking the money. Prosecuting barrister Susan Cavender said money had started to go missing from the pub at the time Holmes was employed and stopped when he was dismissed.

She also produced online statements from bookmakers, showing his significant gambling losses.

Cavender said: "This was a huge amount of money for a small business to lose and some 25 other members of staff were put at risk."

In a victim impact statement a senior director of the Dodo Pub Company, which owns the Bottle of Sauce, said: "Trust is the most important factor for a happy staff. The manager's selfish acts have put a huge dent in this trust."

Judge Ian Lawrie QC told Holmes: "This was a breach of a high degree of trust over a lengthy period of time. Your persistent offending caused your company significant problems and it is inevitable that custody in this case is necessary."

The case was adjourned until 1 July for a pre-sentence report to be prepared. Holmes was remanded in custody.

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