THREE workers who stole more than £12,000 from their bosses by selling items and pocketing the cash have avoided jail.

The court heard the men, who worked for Connect Plumbing and heating Supplies, in Basildon agreed to sell boilers and parts and split the £12,489 between them.

Scott Spencer, 31, of Great Knightleys, Basildon, James Challis, 33, of Seaview Road, Canvey and Thomas Aungier, 28, of Eastern Esplanade, Canvey avoided jail yesterday at Basildon Crown Court.

Mitigating for Spencer, Brad Lewis said the offending happened after the death of his child.

He said: “This is a result of debts he had due to reckless spending after the death of his child. It was overwhelming for him and it also led to depression and he’s been on medication and had counselling.”

Prosecuting Jollyon Robinson said: “In September 2018 the managing director of the firm, Marc Glass, reported to the police a worker was releasing goods for cash and keeping the money for himself.

“There was an investigation launched and CCTV showed the three men releasing goods to customers and taking the money but it was not in the tills.

“Aungier was arrested and he denied it but when the police searched his phone they found messages between the men about selling the items and sharing the money.”

Mitigating for Challis, Lucy Sweetland said: “His job was not manager he was a sales advisor and he did not have log in details for the tills.

“He has no previous convictions and this was matter was almost three years ago. He went on to run a business but has not been able to work due to an injury to his leg and back.”

Mitigating for Aungier, Adekunle Tijani told the court: “At time he was going through a self inflicted challenging time and was addicted to cannabis, gambling and alcohol.”

Challis was handed a nine month sentence suspended for 18 months and ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work and to pay £2,000 in compensation.

Spencer received a sentence of a year suspended for 18 months and ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work and pay £4,000 in compensation.

At the hearing Aungier was given a sentence of 16 months suspended for two years, told to complete 300 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay compensation of £6,000.