Landlord stole pub cash for Christmas

A PUB landlord from Oldham helped himself to gaming machine takings and the till float as he had no cash for his children at Christmas, a court heard.

Father-of-five David Vaughan (41), was also in debt to the tune of £2,000, had been living “hand to mouth,” in the run up to the festive season. The defendant, then manager of the Dog and Partridge, Whitworth, stole more than £600 from his employers but later owned up when confronted, Burnley Crown Court was told.

Vaughan, of Palmer Close, Oldham, admitted theft. He was given a 12-month community order with 140 hours unpaid work. David Macro, prosecuting, told the court the defendant was taken on by Deep Clear Ltd to manage the pub last December.

On Christmas Eve, the gaming machines were emptied and the defendant contacted the firm, asking if he could keep and not bank the £425 takings to cover the float. He said he would bank the money in the New Year.

The company agreed and on January 2, he was due to bank the takings from the pub, together with the £425.

He banked the takings, but not the £425.

Mr Macro said the day after the area manager arrived to speak to him and Vaughan admitted he had had the money for personal use. He said his ex-wife had left him with the children and he needed money to look after them.

The area manager carried out checks and found the till float was also missing. The total cash taken was £621. Vaughan was sacked immediately.

He was arrested on February 6 and interviewed and admitted the offence, saying he had five children and was going through a stressful financial time.