UK Gambler Stole Thousands from His Employer

A UK gambler has been convicted of stealing a huge sum of money from his employer in order to play his favourite online games.

Vimal Patel is the name of the man who took over £155,000 from the Sussex dental firm he worked for between May of 2011 and February of 2012. Mr Patel, who is 30 years old, worked as an accountant in the company which is based in Crawley and has paid back over £57,000 of what he stole. However the dental firm confirms that it is over £97,000 out of pocket because of his actions.

Previous Good Character

When the case went to court the defendant had a close escape from receiving an immediate jail sentence, with the judge saying that report on his previous good character resulting in a 2 year sentence being suspended.  

The judge hearing the case at Lewes Crown Court was Judge Guy Anthony and he said that Mr Patel has stolen the large sum of cash from a company who has trusted him to “deal with their financial matters”. He reminded the accused that while he had paid back around about a third of the cash his theft had still left them facing a big financial loss.

Apart from the suspended jail sentence the judge ordered Mr Patel needs to pay back the rest of the missing money as well as carry out 300 hours of unpaid work in the community. His lawyer said that MR Patel now felt “shame” and “embarrassment” and was “full of remorse”.