Man who stole fundraising money for children, confessed and returned it with interest

A burglar, Darren Green went to Top Corner Sports, Middlesbrough to watch his nephew play football. 

The 30-year-old then used the opportunity to steal a black cash box and a cup full of money for children’s fund raising.

 

Green who had committed 41 offences was challenged by a suspicious witness but he told the witness that he worked at a nearby office.

 

 

 

 

 

But he later confessed to his manager and police and returned the money and also paid an addition 150 pounds as interest.

 

Dominic Tate, defending, said: 'Clearly he's made a massive mistake. He recognises the error of his ways. He realised that almost immediately.

 

'He went back later that night to try and rectify things. However it was the following day he then returned and repaid the money, with additional money also.

 

'He understands that he shouldn't have done this. Essentially it was a moment of madness.

 

'His original intention was to see his nephew play football. He saw the cash and unfortunately took the incorrect decision to take that money.'

 

Mr Tate told the court that Green, whose pregnant girlfriend sat in the public gallery, was currently working as an Avon representative and a volunteer for a local garage.

 

He explained that the 30-year-old had made efforts to turn his life around and had shown extreme remorse.

 

Robert Birch, chairing a bench of three magistrates, told Green that while he accepts his deep regret and the fact he has repaid the money, he had committed a 'crime against the community'. 

 

Green was given a one-year community order with supervision and must carry out 60 hours of unpaid work, and ordered to pay £100 costs.