A well-respected rugby coach and manager of an Iceland Food Warehouse store, Richard Lewis, 38, from Swansea, has recently been exposed for embezzling a staggering £15,525 from his workplace to cover his gambling debts. The court revealed that Lewis had been siphoning money from the store, including dipping into the staff social fund, over a period of time before being apprehended. Despite being initially in denial, Lewis eventually confessed to his wrongdoings, attributing them to his dire financial situation back in 2021.
Lewis, who had been employed at the Iceland branch in Cross Hands for over ten years and had climbed the ranks to become the store manager, had unrestricted access to the cash safe and back-office systems. As his gambling debts spiralled out of control, Lewis resorted to faking business expenses, making unauthorised transactions, and blatantly stealing from the money safe. The thefts went unnoticed until discrepancies were flagged by the Iceland loss prevention team towards the end of 2021.
The deceitful actions of Lewis not only tarnished his reputation but also cast suspicion on his co-workers, illustrating the duplicity and selfishness of his behaviour. Despite being arrested in December 2021, Lewis managed to evade charges for another 27 months due to what the judge described as a lack of co-operation from the offender and sluggishness on the part of the police in their investigation. Upon pleading guilty to theft by employee, Lewis was sentenced to 16 months in prison, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to carry out 200 hours of community service.
Despite acknowledging the gravity of his actions, Lewis received a suspended sentence from Judge Huw Rees, who also highlighted the financial impossibility of ordering compensation given the defendant’s dire financial state. The judge emphasised how Lewis had betrayed the trust of his employer and peers, despite holding a position of authority and respect within the community. Lewis, who had no prior criminal record, expressed remorse and had taken steps to address his gambling addiction.
Lewis’s sentence not only impacts him but also extends to his family, with his role as a father of three and a youth rugby coach adding weight to the repercussions of his choices. The case serves as a cautionary tale about the devastating consequences of succumbing to vices such as gambling addiction and the importance of seeking help before resorting to criminal activities. The community, once looked up to him as a role model, now grapples with the betrayal and breach of trust by someone they held in high regard.