A security firm driver who kept cash he had collected from three Co-op stores was caught after his father discovered some of the cash in the boot of his son’s car.
And transit driver Andrew Cave was warned by Warwick Crown Court judge that ‘custody is likely’ after he had pleaded guilty to the theft.
But Cave (25) of Rectory Close, Exhall, Coventry, was granted bail when the case was adjourned for evidence to be obtained on exactly how much he had stolen.
Prosecutor Ian Windridge said Cave had worked as a cash-in transit driver for Coventry-based Security Plus Ltd since November 2015, and his job included collecting cash from stores.
The last day he had worked was May 27, and six days later his father, who was looking for his wallet, went to check the boot of Cave’s car.
In it he was shocked to find, not his wallet, but two Security Plus packages containing £3,625 in cash.
When he challenged his son about it, Cave admitted taking it from his employers, and Security Plus, who had been unaware of the theft at that stage, were informed.
The police were notified, and Cave, who disappeared from home, was arrested in Lincolnshire after details of his car had been circulated as ‘Wanted’.
When he was interviewed he admitted that in late May he had collected cash from three Co-op stores in north Warwickshire and Hinckley.
He should have scanned the packages of cash, which would have entered them onto the Security Plus system, but instead he had made an excuse to give the staff handwritten receipts.
Cave admitted he then kept the cash, which he said came to a total of £8-9,000.
Security Plus put the figure at around £11,860 – but Mr Windridge said that was ‘still not a final figure,’ and there was no evidence of the actual amount taken.
Judge Andrew Lockhart QC commented: “If it is provable by the company, it should be proved.”
David Coyle, defending, said: “He accepts whatever figure is established by evidence.”
Judge Lockhart adjourned the case for the prosecution to provide a statement from the company about the loss and any impact the theft has had on the business.
Mr Coyle said: “Mr Cave still has the sum of £2,700 in his bank account, and he wants to repay that to the company.
“The difficulty is that the police have his bank card, and without that he can’t make the transaction.”
So the judge said facilities should be made available for Cave to repay the money in his account before the next hearing.
Cave was granted bail, but Judge Lockhart warned him: “All options remain open. I am making no promises at all. Custody is likely.”
