A FORMER general manager of a major chain of convenience stores who admitted stealing cash from his employer over a period of almost nine years has avoided going to jail.

Barry Morris (39), of High Street, Ederney, had pleaded guilty to four counts of stealing cash to the total value of £730, belonging to the McBride Retail Group, on dates between January 1, 2004 and October 25, 2012.

He admitted these four offences last month – just before he had been due to go on trial at Omagh Crown Court.

A further eight counts against the defendant - relating to the alleged theft of Apple iPads, televisions and business documents – were “left on the books” and not proceeded with by the Public Prosecution Service (PPS).

At Dungannon Crown Court today (Thursday), Judge Paul Ramsey QC imposed concurrent one-year prison terms in respect of each of the counts, which he then suspended for two years.

Meanwhile, at Omagh Crown Court yesterday (Wednesday), counsel for the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) Michael McAleer said that Morris had initially entered the McBride Retail Group at a lower level, but later became the firm’s general manager and owner Peter McBride’s “number two”.

However, he said that the defendant's employment had been terminated in October 2012, following concerns over his performance and decisions that he had taken.

The PPS barrister said that Mr McBride subsequently spoke to other members of staff who had been subordinate to the defendant. They told him that Morris had on occasion requested that they leave out an extra envelope of cash, which was the normal way of paying part-time employees. However, these envelopes were left for the defendant’s attention, and not given out.

The barrister referred to them as “ghost envelopes”, adding that the employees in question had no knowledge of them. Mr McBride contacted the police and Morris was questioned over the “ghost envelopes”. He provided an explanation, claiming that the envelopes were part of a system he had developed.

Outlining the aggravating features, Mr McAleer said that the defendant’s offending had been a “long course of conduct” over eight-and-a-half years.

Defending counsel, Des Fahy, told the court that his client had accepted full responsibility for his actions and the specified loss to his employer.

In mitigation, the barrister said that Morris came before the court with no previous convictions. He also said that the defendant had engaged to a significant degree with his probation officer in the preparation of a detailed pre-sentence report.

The barrister added that there had been “clear consequences” for Morris, who had lost his job, but was now re-employed elsewhere.