David Naughton, a 34-year-old Co-op worker from Oldbury, stole £72,384 in cash from his workplace using a 'void transaction' scam, Dudley Magistrates' Court heard. The thefts occurred between February 2024 and April 2025.
How the Scam Worked
Naughton would keep the receipt when a customer paid in cash, then cancel the transaction from the till and pocket the money. His deceit 'made the till seem balanced' and 'only presented as a stock loss', the court was told.
Comparison to Average Employee
On average, Naughton had 81 void transactions per week, while the average employee had only two. The scale of the fraud was uncovered during internal investigations.
Admission and Court Proceedings
Naughton was interviewed internally twice and admitted the theft, stating he stole the money due to a gambling addiction. However, he gave a 'no comment' interview to police. On July 9, he pleaded guilty to theft by employee at Dudley Magistrates' Court.
Magistrates adjourned the case until September 14 for a pre-sentence report. Naughton, of Hollies Road, Tividale, was granted unconditional bail.
