'Greedy' Yorkshire bed company manager stole £90,000 to pay for holiday to Dubai and live 'beyond his means'

Hussain Basser was sent to prison after a court heard how he abused the trust placed in him by the firm's owner to steal the money over a five-year period.

Leeds Crown Court heard the business had to be dissolved as a result of Basser's offending.

Katherine White, prosecuting, said the victim set up the company, called In 2 Bed Ltd, in 2012.

The Batley-based firm specialised in selling beds and bedding online.

The owner worked as a pharmaceutical scientist and set up the company in the hope that the profits would enable her to retire early.

The woman knew Basser from her local area and employed him to be the general manager with responsibility for the day-to-day running the business.

Basser abused the trust placed in him over a five-year period by diverting money from the company's business account to an account set up by him.

The defendant transferred around £140,000 to his account between 2013 and 2017.

The owner became suspicious as sales figures suggested that the firm was doing well.

Accounts were analysed and the offending was discovered.

Basser admitted to his employer that he had taken around £90,000 for his own use.

Police were not informed immediately and Basser was given the opportunity to repay the stolen money.

This included him working for the company without payment in a bid to clear the debt.

Police were contacted in April 2018 when money was not repaid.

The 31-year-old was interviewed by police in February 2019 and admitted the offending.

Basser, of Rudding Drive, Carlinghow, Batley, pleaded guilty to one count of theft from employer.

Probation officer Mick Berry told the court that Basser had admitted in interview that he had committed the offence out of "greed".

The court heard some of the money was used to pay for a holiday to Dubai.

The father-of-two also used the money to "live beyond his means."

Khadhim Al'Hassan, mitigating, said Basser was sorry for what he had done and had never been in trouble up until the offending.

The barrister said his client committed the offence at a time when he was under pressure to provide for his young family.

Mr Al'Hassan said Basser had paid back around £8,000 of the stolen money.

Basser was jailed for 20 months.

Judge Penelope Belcher said: "You wholly abused the trust placed in you.

"You knew exactly what you were doing.

"When asked to identify a reason your explanation was that it was greed.

"What you said to the probation officer was that, having done it once, it just rolled on and you carried on doing it.

"You were living way beyond your means.

"I recognise that an immediate custodial sentence will have a serious impact on your family.

"But sustained offending for five years, primarily out of greed, merits a custodial sentence."

Basser faces a further court hearing under the Proceeds of Crime Act and is likely to have to sell his home in order to pay back the money.