A DELIVERY driver who gambled away more than £3,000 of his employer’s money pleaded guilty to theft at Newport Magistrates' Court yesterday.

Carl Miller, 34, of Bishpool Grove, Ringland, was charged with theft by finding after he stole £3,216.96 from his employer on June 30.

The court heard that Miller, who was employed as a delivery driver, was required to take payment, often in cash form, on completion of delivery and put it in a locked safe in the vehicle. On June 30, when Miller hadn’t returned from a job as expected, the company director used the vehicle's tracking system to find him.

He found the vehicle parked up, with the keys put through the window and the safe in the cab was empty.

Representing Miller, Alan Jones told the court that on completion of Miller’s delivery that afternoon he had decided to place a bet for £500. He lost and went to another bookmaker to place a second £500 bet in an attempt to recuperate his loss. But he lost again and went to a third betting shop, where he made further bets until he lost all of the money.

Miller fled to Caldicot before voluntarily handing himself over to police.

Speaking on behalf of his client, Mr Jones said: “This was nothing personal against his employer, Mr Ken Xu. It was just gambling.”

District Judge Williams gave Miller a suspended sentence of 84 days – suspended for 12 months – on condition that he is supervised by probation for six months and completes ten sessions of a gambling programme. He was also ordered to pay compensation of the full amount of £3,216.96 plus a victim surcharge of £80.