Worker in £41k theft of mobile phone kit at Wednesbury store
A mobile phone repair worker stole more than £41,000 worth of phones and memory cards and stashed them in her work locker, a court heard.
Palo Bains pleaded guilty to stealing from her employer, Carphone Warehouse in Wednesbury, at Sandwell Magistrates Court yesterday.
When the thefts were discovered, staff found 48-year-old Bains, from Shayler Grove, Parkfields, Wolverhampton, had ferreted away 131 Samsung Galaxy phones and 1,500 memory cards.
She admitted stealing goods worth a total of £41,644 on August 20. Mrs Kelly Crowe, prosecuting, said: "She was an employee at Carphone Warehouse.
"She worked as a repair operative as lots of phones obviously crossed her desk.
"On August 20 there were a number of handsets recovered from the defendant's locker as well as memory cards.
"In total there were 131 Samsung Galaxy phones and 1,500 memory cards. Their value was over £41,000."
Mrs Crowe added that the value of the goods stolen placed the case beyond the sentencing powers of magistrates and would have to dealt with at crown court.
No defence was offered in the case. It was adjourned for sentence at Wolverhampton Crown Court on November 29.
Bains was granted unconditional bail.
