A FORMER Northwich Vics chef is facing prison after pleading guilty to stealing more than £8,600 cash from the Marston’s Arena after a fundraising dinner.
Paul Burgess, 30, admitted taking the money from a safe on November 26 at Vale Royal Magistrates Court on Thursday and will be sentenced at Chester Crown Court on August 12.
Burgess – now living at Robin Hood Terrace, Nottingham – also pleaded guilty to two further theft charges.
The court heard he fled from a bed and breakfast in Congleton without paying the £164 bill on February 9 last year, and stole £1,493 from Radbroke Hall social club, Knutsford – where he also worked as a chef – a week later.
“This is a matter which the prosecution would ask you to consider committing to Crown Court for sentence,” said prosecutor Caroline Ross. “It involves thefts of large amounts of money from employers.”
Burgess, who police believe lied about his identity from the day he was taken on by former chairman Mike Connett in March 2007, had “managerial responsibilities” – including looking after finances – at Vics, and had keys to the safe. “It was a high position of trust,” said Miss Ross.
The money stolen from Vics, £8,621.17 in total, belonged to Mr Connett’s holding company Beaconet Ltd, which owns Wincham ground.
Chairman of the bench, Clive Waring, warned him: “We are aware that the sums of the thefts are in excess of £10,000, so we don’t believe our sentencing powers are sufficient.”
