Co-op manager had hands in the till (From Gazette Series)

Co-op manager had hands in the till

THE manager of the Co-op in Sharpness stole more than £36,000 in cash to ease his debt problems, a court heard last Friday.

Michael Purcell, 30, admitted seven counts of theft and seven charges of false accounting at Stroud Magistrates' Court.

Purcell, of Whitecroft, Nailsworth, who was said to be suffering from financial difficulties, admitted taking thousands from the store between November 2004 and January this year.

Prosecuting solicitor Malcolm Hayes told the court that Co-op investigators had gone to the store on January 21 after bosses spotted financial irregularities. "They discovered there was indeed missing cash," he said.

Mr Hayes added that Purcell, whose salary was around £23,000 a year, was arrested in January this year, admitted taking the cash and claimed he had only intended to borrow the money to escape debts.

"He said he had a significant debt problem," added Mr Hayes. "He stated that he had borrowed the money and had no intention of permanently depriving the Co-op.

"This court is looking at a significant breach of trust, involving a significant amount of money, over a relatively lengthy period of time."

Simon James, defending, said his client had an unblemished record before his arrest.

"He is a man of previous good character," said Mr James. "To his enormous credit, the sum has now been repaid with the help of his family."

Purcell was committed to Crown Court for sentencing and was granted unconditional bail.