A bookkeeper from Southport has been jailed for three years and four months for stealing hundreds of thousands of pounds from his employers has been ordered to pay back over £150,000 in compensation.
David Moore, 41, of Segars Lane, Southport, admitted taking the money from Typolac Limited, a coloured card manufacturer based in Skelmersdale, where he worked as a bookkeeper between 1997 and 2007.
Following his conviction, financial investigators from Lancashire Constabulary conducted an investigation to determine the extent of Moore’s benefit from crime. Confiscation proceedings were held on 9 November 2009, at Lancaster Crown Court where Moore’s criminal benefit figure was held to be £868,916 and the available amount £150,147.
Moore has been given six months to pay or he will serve a further 27 months in prison and still owe the money on his release, with accrued interest.
Moore lavished his money on sporting memorabilia and collectable toys and the compensation he has been ordered to pay back includes items seized from his home address.
Financial Investigator, Amanda Beck, said:
"Moore used his position to defraud the company and his selfish actions and the extent of his criminality had a significant impact on the company and his fellow employees.
"Moore committed his offences in order to fund an extravagant lifestyle and indulge his passion for sporting memorabilia and collectable items. The subsequent search of Moore’s house in Parbold resulted in the removal of memorabilia, sporting goods and other property that filled two transit vans. It is important that Moore is not allowed to benefit from his crimes.
"Proceeds of Crime legislation is a powerful policing tool and taken very seriously by Lancashire Police. Anyone looking to fund their lifestyle from crime should take note.”
Moore was charged with 18 offences of theft and had 364 offences taken into consideration. On 12 February 2009, Moore appeared at Preston Crown Court where he was sentenced to three years four months imprisonment.
Since his arrest Moore has separated from his wife. Amongst the items recovered were original oil paintings, high value designer watches, and signed racing helmets belonging to Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher.
Moore was not a member of the ICB.