Bookies Trainee Manager Gambled Firm's Cash

Done of Plymstock as a trainee assistant manager in April this year.

But in court Kemp, of Grenville Road, St Judes, told magistrates he had a gambling addiction.

On July 27 Kemp was working and telephoned his manager at her home and told her "I have lost some money", the court heard.

Crown prosecutor Caroline Gates said: "The manager replied 'don't worry we will find it'.

"But the defendant said 'you won't find it because I have gambled it'.''

Kemp, she said, had first taken £400 from fixed odds terminals (machines) at the shop and went to another bookmakers to lay bets.

After losing all this money, he went back to Done, took more money and repeated the gambling process.

In all he stole, gambled and lost £1,200.

When arrested, Kemp made a full and frank admission to police and in court pleaded guilty to the theft of the cash.

Magistrates heard that none of the money had been repaid to the bookmakers.