A FORMER NHS worker has been spared jail after stealing more than £14,000 over two-and-a-half years.

Christopher Brunt worked for the Essex Partnership University NHS Trust and would pocket rent payments from members of staff for himself.

He was lambasted by Recorded Paul Sharkey at Basildon Crown Court yesterday for stealing money from the NHS but was ultimately handed a suspended prison sentence.

The 39-year-old was an estates and facilities manager based at the trust’s Brockfield House facility in Runwell, Wickford, and would handle rent payments by members of staff staying at The Lodge on the site.

Ordinarily the staff would pay the rent via bank transfers or cheque deposits, but one staff member who did not have access to those paid Brunt in cash, the first payment being £400.

Brunt claimed he then forgot about the money when putting it in his bag, and then upon discovering it later, made the “regretful” choice to take it for himself, and the offending continued.

Brunt stole the money from August 2016 to April 2019, and financial irregularities were discovered by the trust whilst he was off sick in 2019.

Prosecuting, Gareth Hughes, told the court: “It was a 34-month period, with a cash payments total of £14,180 had gone to the defendant but not paid into the bank.

“On November 12, 2019 the deputy head of human resources at the trust received a letter by the defendant. It was an admission of theft.”

Mitigating, Howard Cohen told the court Brunt had been under great stress and pressure at work and had debts, and that he is the primary carer of four children and also suffers from arthritis.

Recorder Sharkey told Brunt, of Hilton Road, Canvey: “You abused that position of trust and responsibility and took cash payments of £14,180 by a member of staff for his rental payment.” He added: “It was money taken from the NHS.

“Any money taken out of the NHS is less money to go around all-round.”

Brunt received a 12 month suspended prison term and must pay compensation of £5,000.