Manager Stephen Sapsford, who stole more than £3,700 from an off-licence, has been jailed for six months.
Sapsford, 36, was found guilty of stealing from his employer by a jury on a 10-2 majority.
He was said to have taken the cash while working for Wine Rack in The Broadway, Thorpe Bay, during the early months of 2001.
His barrister, Tim Devlin, claimed that Sapsford, of Oxford Road, Rochford, was suffering from depression and found it difficult to accept the jury's verdict.
However, Judge Nicholas Jones said there were no exceptional circumstances in Sapsford's case and he had no alternative but to pass a prison sentence.
The judge also pointed out that it was not known if the money was taken on the spur of the moment or over a period of months.
Mr Devlin told Basildon Crown Court the defendant was considering an appeal.
Published Tuesday, June 10, 2003
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