A RETAIL supervisor who conspired with a junior colleague to steal nearly £8,000 from his employers has been told he faces jail.

Karl Alford, 38, was working at Go Outdoors when he gave Joseph Clarke, 21, gift cards so they could steal thousands of pounds' worth of products unnoticed.

Colchester Magistrates’ Court heard on Tuesday how Alford stole rucksacks, battery packs, and tents from the store in Colchester Retail Park between March and October last year.

Guilty - both defendants admitted one charge each of theft by employeeGuilty - both defendants admitted one charge each of theft by employee (Image: Daniel Rees, Newsquest) In total, Alford, of Prince Philip Road, Colchester, stole £7,956.97 of items.

Zoe Hoskin, mitigating, said the operation was not planned and “it was just something that happened over time”.

During the same period, Clarke, who was a retail assistant at the store, issued refunds to Alford and “knowingly accepted gift cards which he used to purchase items from the store”, the court heard.

It was argued Clarke, of Horrocks Close, Colchester, had been “encouraged” by Alford to give him refunds he was not entitled to.

Paul Baker, mitigating, said: “He started working at Go Outdoors in 2021, working as a cashier on the tills – there were no issues or problems with him at all for one and a half years.

“He says he was approached by Alford who was encouraging him to give him a refund he was not entitled to.

“He says he initially said no.

“However, he continued to be contacted and spoken to by Alford – that’s what leads Clarke to this.

“He was not the leader or instigator in any wrongdoing – he was approached by others, initially said no, but then participated in this offending behaviour.”

Magistrates then heard Clarke, who was accompanied by his parents in court, has since taken up a three-year mechanic apprenticeship.

Staff - the court was told Joseph Clarke started working at the store as a cashier and that Karl Alford was a supervisor when the offending took placeStaff - the court was told Joseph Clarke started working at the store as a cashier and that Karl Alford was a supervisor when the offending took place (Image: Pixabay)

He was ordered to repay £678.40 to Go Outdoors and undertake 60 hours of unpaid work.

Bench chair Kate Atherton said: “We hope never to see you here again – get those hours done and get this behind you.

Alford was told he will be sentenced on Wednesday, December 11, so a pre-sentence report can be prepared by the probation service.