Thief caught on camera

Nottingham Magistrates’ Court heard how Simon Jervis (40), of Logan Street, Bulwell, lost his job at Boots after committing the theft.

Marjorie Kirkham-Smith (prosecuting) explained how the footage shows a forklift truck going in and out of a building at the company’s headquarters at Beeston.

“The camera was in operation and recording,” said Mrs Kirkham-Smith. “The footage shows it shaking.

“The building was in a part of the site not used a lot. The camera has since been recovered from him.”

Jervis pleaded guilty to stealing the CCTV camera, worth £400, from his employer, Boots. He was sentenced to a community order, under which he must complete 40 hours of unpaid, supervised work. He was also told to pay court costs of £85, plus a victim surcharge of £60.

Leanne Splaine (defending) said Jervis was one of a group of workers “clearing debris away and moving things elsewhere” at the Boots site.

“He thought the camera was going to be disposed of,” said Miss Splaine.

“Due to this, he has been made redundant, and he has been unemployed since.”

District Judge Morris Cooper told Jervis: “This was a foolish offence in breach of trust and brought about the loss of a job you enjoyed.”