A UNIVERSITY lecturer stole more than £26,000 from an ex-colleague.

Glyn Adams, who works at the Edge Hotel School based at Essex University’s Edge Hotel School at the Colchester Campus, was convicted of stealing from a chauffeur company based in Middlesbrough and Darlington in 2009.

Bosses at the firm – DTV Executive Travel – had employed Adams, 53, to oversee the finances before it ceased trading in 2010.

The spotlight fell on Adams following scrutiny of the defunct company’s books, amid inquiries into its affairs by HM Revenue and Customs.

Adams was said to have taken £26,343, between January and December 2009.

The lecturer denied a charge of theft but was convicted by jury following a trial at Teesside Crown Court.

In May he was sentenced 18-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, with 100-hours’ unpaid work.

Adams must also pay £1,200 compensation to each of the two former directors over the coming year in monthly instalments.

Helen Chapman mitigating for Adams told the Durham sentencing hearing, it was, “opportunistic and not particularly sophisticated” offending.

She said: “He had the opportunity, with internet banking, and, in part, because this business was in disarray, to simply take advantage of it, transferring sums of money to himself.”

Recorder Euan Duff said the offending, “clearly crosses the custody threshold”, but the only way he could ensure Adams pays some money back is by passing a suspended sentence to enable him to keep earning an income.

Mr Duff said: “This offending came about because you were in financial difficulties at the time and you tried to resolve that by resorting to gambling, but only ended up getting yourself in more and more difficulties, so you tried to solve that by stealing from the company.”

Adams has been employed by the Edge Hotel School for four years.

The scheme is run in partnership by Wivenhoe House, Essex University and the Edge Foundation – an education charity dedicated to raising the status of technical and professional education.

Students can choose between hotel management, events management and hospitality degree courses.

A spokesman for the Edge Hotel School said: “We are aware of this court case.

“Glyn Adams has been employed by us since 2013.

“We have no further comment to make at this stage.”