Soldier turned Amazon worker stole £1,500 of goods in first week on the job
A former soldier from Staffordshire stole almost £1,500 worth of goods just a week into a job working for Amazon.
Neil Tuft, aged 26, of Littlewood Lane in Cheslyn Hay, admitted stealing the £1,362.50 worth of goods, including a Tom Tom smart watch, at Cannock Magistrates' Court.
Tuft, who had spent seven years in the Grenadier Guards, serving in Afghanistan and the Falkland Islands, claimed he was struggling to adjust back to civilian life.
Appearing before magistrates on Monday, Tuft admitted he pocketed a variety of goods before taking them to his car.
The hearing was told how he was followed by a security officer who searched him and his vehicle and recovered the items.
Tuft was working for an agency at the time of his employment and admitted the offence to the police when the theft was discovered.
Mr Mohammed Khan, defending, said Tuft was 'struggling to deal with coming back into civilian life' since leaving the armed forces.
"He was bitter at the way he was being addressed by his employer," Mr Khan said.
"He cannot explain why he did it.
"He didn't know what he was going to do with the items and just thought he'd keep them."
During the hearing, officers from the probation service confirmed that Tuft, originally from Great Wyrley, had lived with his grandmother from the age of 13 after his parents separated, after having spent a short period living with his father.
He attended Cannock College and got qualifications in brick laying and construction before joining the army.
He has been married to his wife for six years. They have no children.
Presiding magistrate Ian Jones said: "We cannot fathom nor understand what happened in that week but you have to make sure it doesn't happen again.
"Before today you were a man of good character and reputation.
"That is no longer valid."
Mr Khan said the offence had made Mr Tuft 'take stock of his life' and reflect on why he decided to take the items.
The defendant, who now works at a warehouse in Burntwood, was ordered to pay £135 in costs to the prosecution and a £60 victim surcharge.
He was also ordered to conduct 120 hours of unpaid work, reduced from 180 hours due to his guilty plea.
The defendant confirmed he would pay the full amount in 28 days' time.
