Light-fingered Leeds delivery driver had 'Aladdin's den' of stolen cosmetics from work for eBay side hustle
A light-fingered delivery driver spent more than a year stealing expensive items from his employee to flog on eBay.
Graeme Critch was found to have an “Aladdin’s den” of stolen goods at his Leeds home, with signs of “trappings of wealth”.
He stole more than £28,000 worth of cosmetics and perfume over a 13-month period while working for Alliance Health Care, but avoided being locked up at Leeds Crown Court this week.
The court heard that the 45-year-old was employed at the drug-wholesale company for 25 years, but in 2021 he began to steal.
Prosecutor Carmel Pearson said he delivered items to addresses, but if the recipients were not in, was supposed to return them.
However, he began to steal “high-end” undelivered items such as perfume and cosmetics.
A loss-prevention manager at the company became suspicious of a business on eBay named Laura’s Cosmetics that was selling identical items that were missing from the company’s warehouse. It was found to be linked to Critch.
Gathering evidence, they went to Critch’s home address as he arrived home, and asked to search his van, which they are permitted in conjunction with the terms of his work contract.
Critch confessed about what they would find.
Inside his house Ms Pearson described it as an “Aladdin’s den” with an “inordinate amount of items” found in every cupboard.
They also found designer gear, including bags and an expensive sound system.
He had sold around £7,000 of items on eBay, with £22,000 stock recovered from his home.
The total amount taken came to £28,672.
Critch, of Walker View, Middleton, admitted theft from employee. He has no previous convictions.
Mitigating, Ben Kingsley said Critch was married with two young children.
He said he had significant mental-health issues, linked to his finances, that he had £27,000 worth of debt.
The judge, Recorder Mark McKone told Critch he would have continued to steal until he was caught, and that it was a breach of his employer’s trust.
He gave him a 12-month sentence, suspended for 18 months.
He ordered him to complete 15 rehabilitation days with probation and a mental-health treatment requirement.
A Proceeds of Crime Act timetable was set in which Critch will return to court in order for his ill-gotten gains to be identified and paid back.