A WAREHOUSE manager paid himself “refunds” to help meet mounting gambling debts, a court was told.

Christopher William Dafter made illicit payments into three of his own accounts, passing them off as refunds to customers of PCJ Supplies.

Durham Crown Court heard that by the time his activities came to light, earlier this year, Dafter had run up a bill of £5,623, contributing to the soft furnishing supplier suffering financial problems.

Shaun Dryden, prosecuting, said the offences were committed between August 2012 and this March, during a three-year period the defendant was manager of PCJ’s warehouse on Belmont Industrial Estate, Durham, earning £20,000-a-year, driving a company car and equipped with a phone.

Mr Dryden said when questioned, in June, Dafter made admissions, saying he hit on the idea after giving customer’s genuine refunds from his own pocket and reclaiming the money from the company.

Dafter told police he had gambling debts, but was unaware of the amount he had taken.

The court was read a victim statement given by a joint owner of the company, saying she felt “betrayed” by Dafter, feeling his actions playing a part in its financial difficulties, although its fortunes have begun to improve since he left.

Mr Dryden said due to the financial problems the company closed its stores at Washington and Middlesbrough.

Dafter, 31, of Pipetrack Lane, Newcastle, who has no previous convictions, admitted fraud.

Yvonne Taylor, mitigating, said the defendant’s online gambling addiction “snowballed” through his constant access to the internet while at work.

But she said he has taken steps to limit his use of the internet, and now “bitterly regrets” the harm caused to his former employer.

He was given a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for 15 months and ordered to pay £960 compensation, at the rate of £80-per-month, and an £80 statutory surcharge.