A GAMBLER stole thousands of pounds from his best friend to pay for his addiction.

Jeffrey Hamblion, of Layer Road, Colchester, stole £3,500 from his employer and friend, Colin Thompson.

Mr Thompson, who had known Hamblion since school and was an usher at his wedding, said Hamblion had spent the money on online gambling.

He said he had employed the 41-year-old as a maintenance man and rent collector for his business Pyper Property.

He said he had no idea Hamblion had stolen from him until he made a tearful confession on the phone in March.

At Croydon Magistrates’ Court, Hamblion admitted stealing the money and was sentenced to 16 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months.

He was also given a supervision order for 12 months, ordered to carry out 160 hours of unpaid work and pay £260 compensation.

Mr Thompson said he was disappointed by the sentence.

He said: “If he had picked up the phone and just said I’m really sorry, or even made some effort to pay back what he has admitted to stealing, then it would be something.

“It doesn’t seem correct that you can steal £3,500 and only pay back £260.”

Hamblion, a father of two, stole the rent he collected in cash from private London properties which Mr Thompson owned and rented out.

Despite noticing issues with the administration of the company, Mr Thompson said he never suspected Hamblion had a gambling problem.

Mr Thompson, who lives in South London, has not heard from Hamblion since he admitted the theft in a phone conversation later the same day. He said: “It has affected me and my family pretty hard. The most shocking thing is there’s been no word of apology.”

Mr Thompson has now instructed solicitors to launch a civil case against his former friend to get back his money.

The Gazette contacted Hamblion, but he declined to comment.