G4S managers Barry Jackman and Barry Knight jailed for cash depot theft
by Keith Hunt
Two managers who stole thousands of pounds while working for a
security company at a cash collection depot handling millions have
each been jailed for two years eight months.
Barry Jackman and Mark Knight managed evade strict controls and
searches at G4S (Group 4 Securitas) in Maidstone by hiding cash
under a ceiling tile and then smuggling it out.
Maidstone Crown Court heard Jackman, 56, and 46-year-old Knight
were originally accused of stealing over £100,000, but the amount
was agreed at £23,500 when they appeared for sentence.
Knight, of Middlesex Road, Maidstone, was found to have about
£4,000 in a toolbox underneath his bed and Jackman, of Brissenden
Green Lane, Bethersden, Ashford, had some of the stolen coins in
the boot of his car.
They admitted conspiracy to steal, having custody of
counterfeit coins and converting criminal property.
Iestyn Morgan, prosecuting, said Jackman, the depot manager
at the company on the 20/20 Business Park in St Leonard’s Road, and
Knight, who was his deputy, replaced cash they took with
counterfeit coins that were due to be destroyed.
Bosses became suspicious after the pair were seen in a car park
with a bag of money.
Police searched their homes and found bags of coins.
Between January 2010 and September 2011 £90,000 went missing
from the depot, which delivers cash to banks and other financial
institutions.
One of the methods used involved leaving money in a roof space
and then, once through security accessing it through the ladies
toilets.
Jackman told police he started taking money for petrol and
eventually admitted stealing about £14,000. They were taking up to
£1,500 a day.
“It was a breach of a high degree of trust, as they were both
managers,” said
Maidstone Crown Court,
where the pair appeared
Mr Recorder Edward Cole said the offences were more serious than
a simple matter of theft as the counterfeit coins were recirculated
and damaged the economy.
“You were entrusted with dealing with large amounts of cash,” he
told Jackman and Knight.
“You were both employed in positions which required a high
degree of trust.
“Both of you are equally culpable for this conspiracy. You
didn’t stop stealing because you had taken enough or your
predetermined amount, you only stopped because you were
discovered.
“It involved some sophistication. I have no reason to think you
would not have gone on with this criminal enterprise if you had not
been discovered.
"There was a high degree of dishonesty.”
He added: “The sentence is to reflect the very serious impact
offences of this kind have on the community at large and on your
employer."
22/02/13
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