Amazon warehouse worker sacked after stealing Samsung smartphones worth £1,200

A Bristol Amazon employee has a prison sentence hanging over him after being caught with £1,200 worth of stolen mobile phones.

Aaron Froom, who worked at the Amazon Distribution Centre in Severn Beach, was arrested and subsequently sacked from the company after swiping four new Samsung smartphones while on shift.

Three of the phones, worth around £1,040, were recovered.

Froom was sentenced for the theft, to which he pleaded guilty at a previous hearing, at Bristol Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (June 15).

Froom’s defence solicitor told the court that the 28-year-old was a cannabis user who suffered with depression and anxiety and was claiming benefits after losing his job at Amazon.

She said: “Since his arrest, he has been in touch with his GP.

“He is somebody who is keen, anxious even, to access any support the probation service can give him.”

She added that Froom had no previous convictions, and was a man of ‘good character’ who had a ‘great relationship’ with his children.

But Judge Matthews said the offence he committed was one of ‘high culpability’ as a ‘degree of trust and responsbility’ has been breached.

She gave Froom a 26-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and ordered him to complete a rehabilitation activity requirement.

Froom must also pay £600 in compensation to Amazon along with £85 in court costs.

Judge Matthews told the defendant: “Non-compliance with the order will result in imprisonment. It’s up to you now.”