A barman who ‘swiftly’ stole over £500 in cash from a football clubhouse in Monkton where he worked, so he could play on the gambling machines, has appeared in court.
Twenty-year-old Joseph Williamson, of Meyrick Street, Pembroke Dock, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Tuesday, to plead guilty to stealing cash amounting to £520 belonging to the owner of the Monkton Swifts Social Club.
Prosecutor Ellie Morgan told the court that the theft occurred on April 22, when Mr. Williamson was employed as a member of the bar staff at the Monkton Swifts clubhouse, where he had worked for two months.
Money totalling £520, which was for the club’s bingo and sports teams, disappeared over that weekend, and CCTV was checked by the club’s owner.
Magistrates heard how Mr. Williamson started his shift at midday on the Saturday, when it was quiet with no customers about.
“Two minutes into his shift he is clearly seen on CCTV camera footage reaching up to the cupboard behind the bar where a metal box containing the cash was kept, and then going back to the till numerous times and the gambling machine,” said Ms Morgan.
“The defendant admitted to taking every penny when interviewed by police. He said that he was taking 20 pounds at a time, putting it in the gambler.
“Some times he would win, but then put the money back in, until the whole £520 was gone,” she added.
Probation officer Julie Norman told the court that Mr. Williamson had explained that he had past gambling problems, but they had stopped when he met his current partner, but had now escalated again.
Magistrates ordered the defendant to undertake 100 hours of unpaid wok in the community and pay £520 compensation to the clubhouse owner.
Mr. Williamson was also ordered to pay prosecution costs of £85 and an £85 victim surcharge.