Asda shop worker stole £2,800 haul in refund scam

Javed Miah worked at the Asda store in Dudley for seven months before turning to crime, a judge heard.

The 25-year-old, who was in debt, ordered goods from the shop and then arranged for other people to pick them up without paying for them.

He balanced the books by claiming a refund on each item that had been taken but this still left the store with a stock shortage, said Mr Richard McConaghy, prosecuting.

Mr McConaghy explained that the £2,800 haul included computer game consoles and other electrical goods.

Miah, who was responsible for the click and collect section of the store, as well as home deliveries, refused to name those who picked up the stolen goods.

But he stressed that they were simply doing him a favour and were not involved in the racket.

It ran between November 22 and December 31 last year but was uncovered by supermarket chiefs, who became alarmed by the abnormal number of refunds being recorded.

Resigned

An internal investigation was launched during which the defendant admitted he was responsible for the disappearance of the items which had been sold.

He resigned and police were alerted, the court heard.

Mr Anthony Cartin, defending, declared: “The refund was sought to cover up the original purchase for which money had not been taken by the store.

“Then it was sold by him.

“The till would never be down but the stock was.

“As soon as he was disciplined by the store he resigned and his prospects of future employment are now slim.”

Miah from Beechwood Road, West Bromwich, who was of previous good character, pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of position and was given a community order with 200 hours of unpaid work.

He was also ordered to pay £1,000 compensation to Asda.

Judge Nicholas Webb told him: “You were in a position of responsibility and breached that trust but it is to your credit that when challenged you immediately admitted your involvement.”