Gambling fever led to pub manager Brendan Doyle taking a risk by stealing £47,000 from his bosses - but he lost.

The 28-year-old former university student got into such a muddle that he confessed everything to auditors when they checked account books at the Anchor pub, Civic Square, Tilbury.

He pleaded guilty at Basildon Crown Court to four sample counts of theft from an employer. He asked for 18 similar offences to be considered.

Doyle, who now lives in Chelmsford, was given a 15-month prison sentence.

Prosecutor Simon Gerrish said when police searched his home they found £7,000 of the money stolen from the pub's owners, Wetherspoon.

Mr Gerrish said that after Doyle's arrest he told police he had built up gambling problems and decided to "tuck into the company's money."

In jailing Doyle, the judge, Mr Recorder Martyn Levett, said there was an element of planning in the thefts and that £47,000 was a big loss to the pub. The judge said he would not make an order for costs or compensation because of Doyle's lack of means.

Published Monday, April 28, 2003

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