A NORTHWICH man has been jailed after selling £40,000 worth of paint stolen from his employer – and splashing out on drink, drugs and prostitutes.

George Smith, of Violet Grove, admitted stealing stock from Bromborough Paints in Manchester before selling it on for cash.

The 33-year-old covered his deceit by adjusting computer stock records, but his 16-month long spree of thieving was eventually spotted by a finance director carrying out an audit.

He appeared at Manchester Crown Court on Friday, January 21, where he was jailed for 21 months.

Rachel Widdicombe, prosecuting, revealed how Smith had started working as the branch manager in Trafford on September 19, 2016.

"He was in a senior position," Ms Widdicombe said.

"And he was supposed to set a positive example as a senior member of staff.

"In January 2018, just 18 months after starting his employment, he began stealing stock to sell on order."

When confronted about the thefts in 2019, Smith admitted what he’d done and revealed he’d developed an addiction to drink, drugs and prostitution.

But when the matter was referred to the police he denied admitting to the thefts.

Ms Widdicombe added: "Far from being in debt, the defendant had used the money to pay for meals at restaurants, nightclubs and hotels.

"The loss suffered by the company had an impact on staff, who were not paid bonuses and left without.”

The financial director who discovered the thefts said the company had been 'shook' and he had been left 'appalled' by the lack of respect and dishonesty.

Simeon Evans, defending, said: "Having used his own pin code to make the stock adjustments, this was always bound to come back to bite him, and come back to bite him it did.

"My client didn't envisage the impact it would have on them, but he should have done.

"He was going through a marriage break-up at the time and there was clearly a pressure there.

"It went on to show a fault in his character.

"However, there is a realistic prospect of rehabilitation in this case as he has no record of offending, either before or since."

Jailing Smith, Judge Hilary Manley said: "You were in a position of trust.

"A branch manager on £27,000 a year, which is more than a lot of people are on, but within 18 months you began to steal stock and kept the cash.

"You spent it on trips to restaurants, prostitutes and cocaine, and now it’s all gone.

"People suffered disappointment, if nothing else. There is some remorse but it is limited.

"You were dishonestly fleecing your employer and living the high life on the proceeds."