AN EMPLOYEE defrauded a Barrow business out of nearly £7,000 to fund his own cocaine addiction, a court heard.

Nicholas Hebson, of Coulton Street, Barrow, was sentenced at South Cumbria Magistrates’ Court on October 9 after previously admitting three counts of fraud by false representation.

Prosecutor Lee Dacre told the court the 37-year-old was an employee at the Plastic Centre on Furness Park Road, Barrow, between November 13 2022 and December 21 2022 when he defrauded the company out of £6,841.37.

Mr Dacre said: “A member of staff was reviewing the company’s books when they noticed an unusual amount of refunds coming out of the business’s bank account.

“If any refunds were required, the defendant should have gone to another staff member.”

The court heard Hebson made 17 transactions to his own personal bank account using an old card reading machine in the office.

“On further examination, eight of the transactions were made between 8:00 am and 8:20 am when the defendant was the only person in the office,” Mr Dacre explained.

“Seven transactions were made during the lunch period when the office was empty, with a further two refunds processed after 5pm.”

The court was told Hebson made excuses to the company that he had forgotten his wallet and that he was seeing a friend to return to the office after working hours.

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Mr Dacre said the defendant admitted the offences in police interview where he conceded he had done so to fund his own cocaine addiction and to repay debts.

The court also heard Hebson had a previous conviction for fraud by false representation in 2014 and another conviction for theft by employee whilst employed at JD Sports in May 2023.

READ MORE: Barrow man to be sentenced after stealing from JD Sports

In mitigation, defence solicitor Michael Graham urged the court to impose a non-custodial sentence.

Mr Graham said: “He has shown he can address his underlying issues. He has not been using drugs for a long time and is committed to his three children.

“He is currently working as a self-employed DJ and has childcare commitments. In my submission, this matter can be dealt with in the community.”

Magistrates agreed with the recommendations in the pre-sentence report and as a result sentenced Hebson to a 12-month community order.

He was also ordered to pay £6,841.37 back to the company at a rate of £20 p/week.

Chair of the bench Charles Crewdson said: “You were addicted to drugs and you lost control of yourself.

“These businesses you have defrauded in the past are small. They are run by hard working families where £100 makes a big difference.

“What sort of example are you setting for your children? All of this is pretty poor.

“If this case and your previous case had come before the court at the same time, you could have been looking at some custodial time.

“You have had two very close calls now. If you ever come back here, you have used up all of your lives. You have got to set an example to your children.”

As part of the order, Hebson was required to complete 10 rehabilitation requirement days and a six-month primary mental health treatment requirement. He was also fined £100 for committing the offences.