Gambling addict imprisoned after stealing from charity

12:54pm Wednesday 30th November 2005

A gambling addict who worked as a supervisor for a charity in Croydon has been jailed after blowing £250,000 of donations on a lavish lifestyle.

James Murray took his girlfriend on holiday to Florida, bought a car, gambled on the internet and splashed out on designer clothes.

The 23-year-old was employed as a supervisor by Scope at their office in the Whitgift Centre, Croydon.

He was jailed for three years after admitting 14 charges of theft and asking for 69 other offences to be taken into consideration.

Prosecuting, Philip Jones, said: "Eighty-three payments made to the charity were put into his own bank account.

"When arrested he admitted changing bank details so that the payments went to him. When he was told how much was missing, he was shocked and said he had not realised it was so much."

Murray, of Eresby Drive, Beckenham, told police he was in debt and only intended to steal once or twice but got carried away.

The court heard how Murray paid off his mother's credit card, had an internet gambling account and went to Marbella.

Murray, employed by Scope for six years, took a total of £248,723 over two years. In mitigation he admitted a gambling problem, which he is seeking help for.

A spokesman for Scope said: "Scope takes these matters extremely seriously, and has cooperated fully with the police and legal teams in this matter. A thorough investigation has taken place."