A PRODUCT manager at Well-ington-based firm Swallowfield who stole nearly 2,000 bottles of expensive fragrance and sold them cheaply on E-Bay to fund his gambling addiction has walked from court after a judge said he had ‘lost everything’ – his reputation, job, marriage and ‘effectively’ his daughter.

Paul Deacon, 42, between January 2013 and January 2017, stole 1,998 bottles of Tom Ford perfume which cost less than £20 each but had a retail value of £203,000 on the basis they would be sold for £80 each in a shop, Taunton Crown Court was told.

William Hunter, prosecuting, said he sold some of the goods on E-Bay for £39,000 but a fair assessment of their value was £60,000. He was questioned after the firm realised bottles were missing and he was found carrying four bottles as he walked towards the car park. He was questioned and admitted the offence.

Deacon, of Stowey Road, Taunton, later pleaded guilty to theft by an employee and the court was told he was in a position of trust. He was arrested and made a full admission, saying he did it to pay gambling debts.

Harry Ahuja, defending, said he had a serious gambling habit and was still £2-3,000 in debt.

Judge David Ticehurst said pre-sentence reports said he had a ‘very kind nature’ and had lost his career after all the hard work he had put in. He added: “You have lost everything. You have lost your job, you have lost your reputation, you have lost your marriage and you have, effectively, lost your daughter. She misses you hugely. The effect on your family has been absolutely devastating. You have lost a vast amount of money to bookmakers.”

Speaking from the dock, Deacon replied: “I hate myself for doing it.”

The judge continued: “The reports say what a decent man you are. You would not have worked your way up to getting this responsible job if you were not a decent man.”

He said the case crossed the custody threshold and if Deacon had been convicted after a trial a sentence of three years in prison would have been appropriate.

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Handing down a sentence of two years suspended for two years with 180 hours work for the community he said Deacon should continue to receive help to deal with his gambling addiction. No order was made in relation to costs and compensation because ‘you don’t have the ability to pay’. In a proceeds of crime judgement the judge said he had lost over £39,000 as a result of criminal activity and had assets of £300, to be repaid within three months.

He also advised Deacon not to buy any more lottery tickets.