By Phil Coleman

Last updated at 11:46, Monday, 27 July 2009

A LOTTERY winner from north Cumbria who frittered away his winnings continued to fund his lifestyle by stealing from his employers.

Defence barrister Andrew Ford told a judge that the downfall of Cockermouth man Richard Huddart was a sobering illustration of the old adage that money can be the root of all evil.

Huddart, 41, a man with no previous convictions, was in court after he admitted 13 counts of stealing from his employer of 21 years.

Carlisle Crown Court heard how Huddart, of Windmill Lane, Cockermouth, had worked his way up to the position of general manager at Cumbria Fresh Product Limited in Fletchertown.

In March this year, the company’s director Caroline Graves was told by the firm’s accountant that there was a £28,000 outstanding balance of money owed to the firm, which supplies wholesale fruit and veg to local businesses.

“It was an unusually high figure,” said Callum Cowx, prosecuting.

“Further to that, one of the company’s customers rang complaining that money which she had paid to the company didn’t appear on the receipt.”

An investigation followed and Huddart was invited to discuss the problems, but he sent a text to his boss saying he was resigning with immediate effect, said Mr Cowx.

In total, £9,159 was stolen, the money relating to 13 different customer accounts.

When questioned, Huddart said he owed £12,000 on credit cards and had a bank overdraft, so he had taken the money from work to pay for his living expenses.

Mr Ford, for Huddart, said his client had suffered a mid-life crisis, caused in part by a large lottery win in 2003.

“Frankly, he just started spending,” said Mr Ford. “He spent on holidays and on nights out. He spent up and he just carried on [spending].

“If there was ever a case that shows how money is the root of all evil, it is this one.”

He said Huddart bitterly regretted his actions, which had cost him his career and forced him to return to live with his mother.

To add to his problems, he had borrowed cash from somebody who turned out to be a gangster, split from his wife, drank, and gambled.

Judge Barbara Forrester adjourned sentencing Huddart, but told him she will impose a suspended prison term with an unpaid work order.

Probation officials will prepare a report on whether Huddart should be sent on an alcohol treatment programme. He will return to court to be sentenced on August 4.

PColeman@cngroup.co.uk

First published at 11:27, Monday, 27 July 2009
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk