Jamie Davies was employed by Walters and Morris, an Ammanford-based building materials supplier, from November 2022.
Prosecutor Emily Bennett told Swansea Crown Court that in August 2023, Alex Walters noticed six refund transactions between July 13 and 31 totalling more than £6,000 had been paid into an account with the surname Davies.
The defendant was summoned to a meeting with his bosses, and admitted taking the money, saying he was in financial difficulty. Davies was sacked, and the police were contacted.
Following a Dyfed-Powys Police investigation, further transactions were found dating back to December 15, 2022 – just weeks after Davies started at the company – totalling £26,211.57.
Mr Walters said he trusted Davies and gave him many chances.
In a statement read to the court by Ms Bennett, Mr Walters said:
“He was unreliable and often very late. He believed had been using drugs and we had to take him off the tills after he was shouting at customers.
“Jamie has disregarded the help we have given him.
Mr Walters added that Davies had borrowed money from him personally and had never paid him back, and that he believed the defendant had also done that to others too.
Davies, 35, of Swansea Road in Pontlliw, had no previous convictions. He admitted the theft in interview, and pleaded guilty to a charge of theft by an employee.
“The defendant is under no illusions as to the seriousness nature of the allegations,” said Dan Griffiths, appearing for Davies.
“It plainly crosses the custody threshold.”
Mr Griffiths said the defendant was going through a very difficult period in his life at the time of the offence, following the end of a long-term relationship and the death of his close friend.
“He was struggling to cope, for some reason, that he’s still unable to explain, he began experimenting with cocaine and quickly developed a habit.”
The judge, Recorder Christian Jowett, sentenced Davies to six months, suspended for 18 months. He must complete 200 hours of unpaid work and 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days.
Ms Bennett confirmed Proceeds of Crime Act proceedings were sought in order to potentially recover any of the money Davies made from his offending.
[Lead image: Google street view]
