Asda worker jailed for stealing £460k in petrol tills scam
A SUPERMARKET worker who stole almost £460,000 from ASDA was only caught when someone noticed “large amounts of cash just lying around” her house.
Wendy Clements, 47, managed to steal the incredible amount from the South Bank supermarket, where she worked in the cash office.
Over a period of four years the mum from Gresham, Middlesbrough, spent cash “like water” before she was finally caught out.
Clements was jailed for three years and four months after fiddling the petrol kiosk's tills at the store, benefiting to the tune of £459,925.
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Ian West, prosecuting, said Clements had worked out that the electronic records on the tills were not linked to the “smart record” that she would submit to ASDA's head office so understated the amount of cash taken at the till and pocketed the rest.
Over the period, she took over £450,000 in cash. The system of recording cash takings has changed since
Mr West said: “Over the period, she took over £450,000 in cash. The system of recording cash takings has changed since.
“The matter came to light as a result of a call from someone who had been to her house and seen large amounts of cash just lying around.
“They thought it was unusual for someone working in modest employment.” Mr West said that when the matter was brought up, Clements “went on the sick and refused to attend interviews”.
“As a result, police became involved and Mrs Clements and three other members of staff were arrested and interviewed under caution,” he added.
As the investigation continued, ASDA's internal account checks proved that cash had only ever went missing when Clements had been working.
“In July, Mrs Clements had made full admissions. By then the net had tightened around her,” said Mr West.
Victim impact statements from Clements' colleagues were read to the court, describing the fear they felt at being falsely accused and the loss of privacy when their houses were searched top to bottom by police.
One of the workers said: “Being arrested for theft will be forever imprinted on my memory.”
Despite the huge sum stolen by Clements, Mr West said she “literally blew the lot” on holidays for herself and family, meals out and even cosmetic surgery for someone else.
“It was basically living the high life - money was spent like water,” he said.
