Worker at Blackwood Cash Generator admits stealing gold (From Campaign Series)
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Worker at Blackwood Cash Generator admits stealing gold
4:58pm Tuesday 19th February 2013 in News
By Chris Wood, Reporter
THE former deputy manager at Cash Generator, Blackwood admitted stealing "large quantities" of gold from the company after running into financial trouble.
Caerphilly Magistrates' Court heard how Rhian Blackwell placed thousands of pounds worth of scrap gold into her pocket, rather than in a special safe.
The court heard how single-mother Blackwell had over £10,000 of debt and was in arrears with her mortgage, leading to her deception.
Prosecutor Ruth Hale said that Blackwell, 40, of Commercial Street, Pengam, was responsible for gathering scrap gold and placing it in a safe.
However, large quantities had started going missing from October last year, with an investigation launched and CCTV showing Blackwell opening the safe on several occasions and not taking anything out or putting anything in.
While the positioning of the CCTV meant she wasn't caught in the act, company bosses believed Blackwell was placing the gold in her pocket.
She was questioned about thefts, thought to have happened between October last year and this January, admitting them and being sacked.
However, bosses said that £3,600 of gold was missing, a total she disputed.
Blackwell claimed the figure was £2,000 and she pleaded guilty on the basis that this was the amount she took.
The company withheld £1,000 in her wages when she was sacked, Ms Hale added.
Defence solicitor Terry Vaux said that while she was deputy manager, Blackwell was only paid £800 per month. He said: "It's not a huge wage for someone dealing with money and valuables daily. She is a single mother, in arrears with her mortgage and losing money. She gave in to temptation, something she bitterly regrets."
The court heard Blackwell has debts totalling £10,000. Chairwoman of the bench Lynne Tibbett ordered her to pay £1,000 compensation and a £60 victim surcharge, while handing her an 18-month community order.
