Four Seasons manager stole to run away (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Four Seasons manager stole to run away

6:00pm Saturday 1st September 2012 in News

The former manager of The Four Seasons pub, in Chippenham, stole £6,500 to run away with his boyfriend.

Lee Mark Plant, 27, who now lives in Booth Street, Mansfield, pleaded guilty to a charge of theft by employee at North West Wiltshire Magistrate’s Court on Friday.

He started as the manager of the pub in February, and admitted to stealing from the company safe on June 4.

This coincided with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, which meant the safe had more money than usual.

On the night of June 4 Plant told another member of staff that he had to leave to attend an emergency. The following day the area manager was told Plant had disappeared and tried to contact him, before opening the safe and finding the money missing.

Plant, who was found on June 27, had started a relationship with another man and they decided that they should develop this relationship in Spain, rather than in the local area.

The two men went to Spain, but during an argument Plant’s partner took the money and left. After this Plant’s brother paid for him to return to England.

Magistrates said Plant had seriously abused a position of trust and that he would be sentenced at Swindon Crown Court.

Plant has been released on unconditional bail, the date of his sentencing is still to be confirmed.